Sir, – What an excellent article by Rev Dr D Twomey, a highly qualified celibate, male, moral theologian, defending celibate, male, moral theology on marriage and the family ("Synod feeds secular agenda hostile to traditional family", Opinion & Analysis, October 18th). However, celibate male theology has no place in real-life family situations.
As a non-celibate, non-male parent, I challenge Dr Twomey's theology based on my own experience of raising a large family. If I had adhered to church teaching, particularly Humanae Vitae, my marriage and my family would not have survived. Pope Paul Vl encyclical Humanae Vitae is one of the main causes of the collapse of confession.
Dr Twomey needs to come out of his theological ivory tower and rub shoulders with us sinners. What is at stake for the church is not “holiness”, it is “love”. – Yours, etc,
NUALA O’DRISCOLL,
Renvyle,
Co Galway.
Sir, – Congratulations to Fr Vincent Twomey for so eloquently and compassionately expressing the concerns of many Catholics regarding the agenda of some groups in the recent synod.
It’s interesting that Fr Twomey is attacked by Declan Kelly (October 21st) and others for daring to comment due to his vow of celibacy. So much for respect for plurality and diversity of views.
On the basis of this logic, presumably faithful and childless Catholic couples are also debarred from the debate. One only wishes that those opposed to Fr Twomey’s analysis would express themselves in the same civilised and respectful manner that he employs. – Yours, etc,
ERIC CONWAY,
Navan,
Co Meath.
Sir, – As scripture says, “the road that leads to perdition is wide an spacious, and many take it, but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). All the Catholic Church can do is light up the narrow road that leads to life.
Some liberal commentators on the synod apparently want the Catholic Church to light up the broad road that leads to perdition instead. That road, however, would still lead to perdition no matter how well lit up it is. – Yours, etc,
COLM FITZPATRICK,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.
Sir, – If “ordinary men and women” (Seán O’Riordan, October 21st), though sexually faithful and living family-oriented lives, cannot be persuaded to think that responsible artificial contraception family planning is very wrong, perhaps the church and its proponents should settle for two out of three, even if they themselves are somewhat at a remote remove from such actual situations.
Perhaps the essence of the issue is that some people believe as much or more in a faith system than in a deity? –Yours, etc,
MICHELE SAVAGE,
Dublin 12.