POPE AND PRESIDENT

Sir, On reading Fr O'Hanlon's first diatribe against Mary Robinson (April 8th), I presumed that this was an old Irish cleric …

Sir, On reading Fr O'Hanlon's first diatribe against Mary Robinson (April 8th), I presumed that this was an old Irish cleric forgotten in Rome making his last hurrah for his old Church before he dies.

But what a shock to the system to discover in his second scathing attack (April 19th) on our President and, indeed, some of his fellow clerics, that Fr O'Hanlon is only 28 years of age and just two years ordained.

But then again, why should I he so surprised? Of late it has become apparent that some of these recent clerical neophytes seem to be passionately interested in the superficialities, or dare I say it, the cheap and vulgar side of religion such as dress codes, outward appearances, positions of importance, clerical titles, and petty regulations just like the Pharisees in Christ's time and we all know what Christ thought of the Pharisees!

Thank goodness it was the same Christ who said "How happy are the poor in spirit theirs is the kingdom of heaven" and not the Fr O'Hanlons of this world who, obviously, have "much greater" things on their minds. Yours, etc.,

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PP Aghahoe, Portlaoise, Co Laois.