A chara, – Claire Hogan writes a very interesting piece on the role of the Catholic Church in Irish medicine ("Catholic Church's influence over Irish hospital medicine persists", Opinion & Analysis, April 28th). While undoubtedly influential in the past, and becoming less so, the church's power pales in comparison to its current role in Irish education. All hospitals in the State can employ staff members who are openly gay. All hospitals in the State do not require a birth certificate before treating a patient. Far more scrutiny needs to be placed on how the Catholic Church and its ethos dictates who teaches our children and which children are allowed to be taught. – Is mise,
GARETH T CLIFFORD,
Stillorgan,
Co Dublin.