Madam, - Living as we do in a country of all sorts of cultural diversity, I feel that those who have lived here all their lives are in danger of being overlooked. At Christmas time 2007, I visited a hospital in a county town. There was no crib in the entrance and upon enquiring about this I was told that it was not there this year because our non-Christian brethren might be offended.
This made me very aware of the degree of dumbing down of the Christian message that is taking place.
This year, greeting cards with a Christian message are very scarce, and after all, it is the great Christian ethos in this country along with our awareness of how blessed we are that makes us so generous to every appeal, and to contribute way above our size to every needy cause.
Since we are encouraged every day to be tolerant and welcoming and to understand those who have come to live among us, I now make this plea for Christmas 2008. Please let everyone whose responsibility it is to manage displays give pride of place to the nativity scene and let the real meaning of the festivities be brought to mind.
There are many Christians whose feelings are very hurt by the dumbing down of our celebrations, we are still here and we are a very real presence in Irish society. - Yours, etc,
MARY C KELLEHER,
Farranlea Park,
Model Farm Road,
Cork.