Sir, – None of the positions that Eamon O’Dwyer (August 12th) attributes to us are part of the policies of the Association of Catholic Priests, which can be found clearly stated on our website. Truth and accuracy matter. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Eamon O’Dwyer’s letter (August 12th) misrepresents both the Association of Catholic Priests and those of us who support their efforts for necessary reform in the Catholic Church. There is no question of creating an “Irish Catholic Church completely independent of Rome” as all Catholics recognise the primacy of the Bishop of Rome. However, many in the Catholic Church including Pope Benedict would like all who dare question traditional teachings like the ban on the ordination of women, to abandon the church and leave this self-justified remnant to their absolutism.
While many have walked away, quite justifiably, from this present distorted incarnation of Christ’s presence on earth, the rest of us will stay and fight for reform as is our duty as a prophetical church.
Let Eamon O’Dwyer be prepared for the fight, as we are not going away. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Reading some of your newspaper’s recent reports of Irish clerical infighting, I was reminded of a witty medieval adage recalled by Gramsci in his fascist prison cell: Homo homini lupus, foemina foeminae lupior, sacerdos sacerdoti lupissimus. –Yours, etc,