Sir, - It is a curious kind of theology, a divisive kind of philosophy, indeed an ominous kind of Christianity, which regards it more a fault than a merit for a Christian of one denomination to receive communion occasionally within another denomination of the same religion. Yet this seems to be the kind of outlook embraced by Father James McEvoy in his recent attack on President McAleese. (Full text is reproduced in The Irish Times, December 13th).
Father McEvoy highlights a doctrinal issue which has divided the Christian Churches since the Reformation. Thankfully, however, there is still available a heritage of Christianity which places the decisive emphasis elsewhere than where Father McEvoy places it; on the daunting but worthy effort of loving God and one's neighbour. Viewed from this latter standpoint, the "scandal" of President McAleese would be seen in a much more benign light.
Father McEvoy's repugnance towards what "Rome does not allow" is amply declared. He is identified at the end of the letter as "Professor of Philosophy, St Patrick's College Maynooth". What is not declared in the letter is that his main post is that of Professor of Philosophy at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, which now includes over 90 per cent of the students on the Maynooth campus.
Each of the four universities of the NUI is governed by the principle of academic freedom (Universities Act, 1997). This principle protects the right of Father McEvoy to express his considered standpoint without fear of punitive consequences, just as it protects that of any of his colleagues to speak from the university, as distinct from speaking on behalf of it. But the tone of much of his letter is worryingly at odds with the standards of toleration called for in those who practise this principle. Indeed it is at odds with the standards of reason and restraint one would expect in a professor of philosophy in any of our third-level institutions. - Yours, etc.,
Education Department, NUI Maynooth.