Sir, – Kevin Healy’s call for self- respect among lay Catholics and “some” bishops (let us hope all) is inspiring and adds a glimmer of hope in the dark place that is the contemporary Irish Catholic church (April 16th).
Not so long ago I recall Archbishop Diarmuid Martin lament the poor level of mature religious formation among Irish Catholics.Unfortunately two esteemed proponents of responsible adult religious education Frs Flannery and Moloney have been silenced or curtailed for facilitating views at variance with the Magisterium.Where is the defence of adult religious formation?
We have learned where unquestioning loyalty can lead us and the Roman Curia structures engender understandable fear among priests, not to mention the fear of an informer culture among disgruntled parishioners.
The findings from the recent Association of Catholic Priests of Ireland’s survey should embolden us to dispute the Apostolic Visitation’s finding of frequent unorthodox views: is it Ireland or Rome that is out of line?
With the much publicised Titanic centenary in mind, I ask if the Magisterium is being sailed on a rigid course, lacking the subtly of a dialogue blessed with divine and human understanding? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – May I gently inform Martin Henry (April 18th) that Churchill was referring to democracy not authoritarianism. Dogmatic theologians, when they stray into the realm of historical study, need to be held by the hand. – Yours, etc,