Sir, – In his article "Untrue to state that St Patrick brought misery to Ireland" (Opinion & Analysis, March 17th), Rev Dr Chris Hayden correctly states that pre-Christian Ireland was not an idyllic place.
However, he fails to address why people would be encouraged to think that Christianity might have brought misery to Ireland.
After the founding of the Irish State, the Catholic Church, with the co-operation of successive governments, imposed a type of Catholic fundamentalism, which attempted to dictate to everyone in the State, regardless of religious persuasion or none. The resulting institution became so powerful that it could influence any decision in the State.
As happens with all powerful institutions, the preservation of the institution becomes all-consuming. We have witnessed a situation where victims have been sacrificed for the sake of the institution.
I sincerely hope we have learned from this experience and can look forward to a time when all institutions are open enough to consider the plight of the citizen. – Yours, etc,
ALAN JERROLD,
Harold’s Cross,
Dublin 6W.
Sir, – Fr Chris Hayden is to be congratulated for reminding us of the importance of the Christian ethic of love of neighbour which was brought to this island by St Patrick.
The ethic of love of neighbour underlies the ideal of the equality of all citizens that is the basis of our democratic institutions. The fact that it is not always observed and practised does not render the ideal invalid. – Yours, etc,
A LEAVY,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.