Sir, - In a feature article on Cardinal Daly in your paper, Andy Pollak describes the subject as "the most important Irish churchman of the late 20th century". I had the pleasure of meeting the cardinal on one occasion at the St Oliver Plunkett celebrations, and I found him gracious and courteous. However I would not describe him in these terms.
I would like to vote Bishop Brendan Comiskey as the most important Irish churchman of the late 20th century. This bishop has been a bright light in a sea of unchanging conservatism. He pioneered guidelines for inter-church baptisms and weddings in the Diocese of Ferns along with his friend and fellow freeman of Wexford, Bishop Noel Willoughby. When Bishop Brendan had the courage to be real we felt a new warmth for the man. At our Ferns Diocesan Synod he came as an invited guest and said "I am an alcoholic". A numinous spirit descended on the gathering that I had never experienced before. The incarnate nature of his words made the rest of the day's business almost irrelevant.
As one intimately associated with the Fethard-On-Sea boycott, I had painful memories of Bishop Browne of Galway and Bishop Staunton of Ferns. When Bishop Comiskey, at the national 1798 service in Wexford, apologised to Bishop John Neill for the hurt caused to members of the Church of Ireland, it was the last chapter of this sad story.
Bishop Brendan is a man of great courage who is wise enough to know that the celibacy issue needs to be discussed as a matter of urgency. He does not fear the belt of a papal crozier. This bishop carries in his person the "sacrament of friendship", as he called it himself. I believe that the see of Ferns is occupied by a fearless prophet, who is the most important churchman of the late 20th century. - Yours, etc., Norman Ruddock, Chancellor of Ferns,
The Rectory, Park, Wexford.