A chara, - David F. Dunne (September 27th) makes a very sensible and reasonable proposal that the Catholic Church should be more democratic and that the College of Cardinals, which is at present appointed by the Pope and which for many years has elected the Pope, should consist of 50 per cent members of the laity, with at least 50 per cent of these to be women.
What could be more sensible? What could show more clearly in practice the Church's own declared belief in the dignity and priesthood of all the baptised? Why does the Church not accept such a way of organising itself?
The argument of those who oppose such a development (mainly in high office) is that the Church is not a democracy and was not meant to be, that the present set-up is the way Christ intended it to be. However, there is no evidence in the Scriptures that this is the way Christ intended it to be - and as we discover more about the origins and evolution of the early Christian church, this argument is wearing thinner. It is becoming harder to oppose the powerful argument for the Church becoming a democracy (along the lines suggested by David F. Dunne) in accordance with the spirit of the times and the evolution of democratic structures in society.
The benefits of this approach should be obvious to all in the Irish Church after the failures and scandals of the past. We would see a church more at ease with itself, more accountable and more transparent - a church where there would be no more secrecy and cover-up and where the rights of all who are baptised would be respected and celebrated, a church which would offer the people a way of making their voice heard.
We would gain so much from such a church that I do not understand those who reject this theology. We would be able to speak with a lot more credibility about human rights if the human rights of all baptised people were recognised within the Church. Those who reject such an approach must have a very undeveloped sense of their own power and the power of other people created by God and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Thanks to Mr Dunne for his inspirational and sensible letter. - Is mise,
Father JOE McVEIGH, Muine Mhuiris, Ederney, Co Fermanagh.
Madam, - The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, has plans to revitalise the Church in his archdiocese (The Irish Times, October 1st). Every parish is to have a pastoral council by Lent of next year. These "should look to new members of their communities, especially the new Irish" and "must address social changes".
Who might these "new Irish" be? Might they include women who believe in their call to priesthood? Might they include couples who would like to have a second union blessed in church? Might they include those who believe that same-sex relationships are on a par with heterosexual relationships? Might they include. . .
Dr Martin presents his initiative as if it were going to be a breath of fresh air to the Church - but the air still stinks of sexism and homophobia.
Pastoral councils and other initiatives are like air fresheners - they create the illusion of fresh air while concealing an underlying stink. A little fresh theology would go a lot further.
Dr Martin tells us that these pastoral councils would not be "debating societies". Well, why not? What is he afraid of. . .the new Irish? - Yours, etc.,
DECLAN KELLY, Lower Exchange Street, Dublin 8.