Madam, – Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is discouraged by the failure of the church to connect with young people. He acknowledges the trojan work done by chaplains in second-level institutions. A couple of years ago I came to the conclusion that such ministers were undervalued by the State, and inspirational to those whom they came into contact with. As a non-practising Catholic, Archbishop Martin’s deliberations inspire me. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I welcome the statement by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin in identifying his perspective on the significant issues the Catholic Church in Ireland is facing. His input is broad-ranging, and yet very pointed in parts.
In his role as the ecclesial leader of the Dublin archdiocese, I now look forward to him sharing his proposed strategic plan to try to address such challenges, and in particular his sharing of the collaborative, consultative processes that will be pursued for any major systems changes to be both credible and sustainable.
Perhaps the words of theologian Reinhold Niebuhr may be of assistance: God, grant me the serenity, to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things that I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. – Yours, etc,