Sir, – Reflecting on Breda O'Brien's piece on the miracle of Lourdes ("Lourdes pilgrimage a miracle of service and selflessness", Opinion & Analysis, September 20th), I too have just returned from there, with the Kerry diocesan pilgrimage. The highlights for me were the diligence, kindness and maturity of the students and young adults alike.
While there I could not help but wonder why only men – single and celibate men, the youngest of whom was 50 – are the only people considered competent to say Mass, lead the rosary, bless the sick (and the trinkets bought in vast quantities) and hear confessions. And to a mainly female congregation, I might add.
Women, single or married, and married men, given the proper training, would be equal to the job, in my opinion. That would be the real miracle for me. – Yours, etc,
BREDA O’ FARRELL,
Killarney, Co Kerry.