IRELAND
The Irish Times
Madam, – Ultimate responsibility for corruption rests at the apex of an organisation: the Vatican and its official representation remain at present stubbornly (and suspiciously) silent on the crisis in Ireland. Perhaps the only hope for the survival of the church in Ireland is to separate from Rome and, with the help of a genuinely empowered laity, to start the long, hard road back to Christianity. – Yours, etc,
CONSTANCE MORRIS,
Eaton Wood Avenue,
Shankill, Co Dublin.
Madam, – Watching, listening, reading about this scandal proves that the current Catholic church is not in touch with the people.
Let’s send a strong message. Stop attending, stop contributing, stop assisting, stop being subservient, stop it all. The church, its clerics and its hierarchy rely on parishioners to survive. We, the people of Ireland, should indicate that we don’t approve of what has and is happening. Hit them where it hurts. Remove their reason for existing.
I suggest we treat them like we might answer one of those people in the street conducting a survey, or trying to get you to sign up to something, just say “Not today, thanks” and walk on without looking back. Liberation from the hypocrisy, lies, deceit could suit you! – Yours, etc,
JOHN McNEILLY,
Butterfield Park,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.