Madam, – The suggestion to send postcards to Cardinal Seán Brady as an alternative to the boycott of Mass on September 26th (August 27th), is an excellent one. It is an ideal solution for those who fear that the proposed boycott may be seen as playing into the hands of the institution. Now is the time for all who feel strongly about the state of our church – laity and clergy alike, to put pen to postcard, make their feelings known and make sure their postcard arrives in Armagh on Friday, September 24th. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – While we, members of a group who attend Mass on Sundays at Orlagh retreat house in Firhouse, Dublin, support the leadership shown by the proposer of the Mass boycott on September 26th, Jennifer Sleeman, we have reservations about the proposed action.
We endorse the proposal made by Christine Gilsen (August 27th) for a postcard “campaign” directed to Cardinal Seán Brady as head of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
In addition we propose the following: 1. A postcard/e-mail to the writer’s local bishop asking for full and equal participation for women in the Catholic Church. 2. A postcard/e-mail to the writer’s parish council asking for support. 3. Share your comments with others on Facebook at “An Inclusive Church” supporting a call for change.
We believe that a postcard action, if widely supported, could be the first significant step in a movement to bring about change in the Irish church so as to enable women and other marginalised people to participate fully as equals. – Yours, etc,