Madam, - Cardinal Seán Brady, in his speech to the Humbert Summer School, said that Europe had forgotten its Christian heritage; this resulted in many decisions being taken within Europe that Christians could no longer support, and that was possibly why some Christians could not support the Lisbon Treaty.
It should not be forgotten, however, that Europe also has a Jewish heritage, especially in Central Europe, and in some countries, notably Spain and Malta, a Muslim one. There has also been what the Cardinal calls the secular and relativist tradition within Europe for many centuries. No one faith community or ideology can expect its particular ethos to be the dominant one in any future Europe.
At one time in most of Europe, it was the Christian view, and that alone, that was heard. Now other voices must be listened to, if we are to be true to the multi-faith, pluralistic community we now believe ourselves to be.
It is certainly not true to say that the Christian voice is no longer heard in this country's media, as the Cardinal seems to suggest. I am aware of at least three bishops who have spoken at summer schools this year, and all three have had a report of their speeches published in this paper. - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL NUTTALL,
Anglesborough,
Kilmallock,
Co Limerick.
Madam, - Cardinal Seán Brady has suggested that the Lisbon Treaty was rejected in the Irish referendum partly because some voters were unhappy that the EU was been driven by the secular tradition rather than by the "Christian memory and heritage of the vast majority of member-states".
As a citizen of Ireland and an enthusiastic supporter of the EU I want my country, the EU and all their institutions, to be both secular and pluralist and not driven by any religious agenda whatsoever. As a committed Christian and a priest of 30 years' standing, I believe that the place for religion is the family home, the place of worship or the Sabbath day school. I deeply resent any priest, minister, rabbi, imam or Sufi interfering in the politics of my country or the EU.
Cardinal Brady was ordained a priest to be a spiritual and not a temporal leader. The Catholic Church has failed miserably for generations to give its faithful the wholesome bread of a deep spirituality and has given them instead the dry stones of clericalism and superstition.
With all due respect I would suggest that Cardinal Brady get himself back with haste into his spiritual bakehouse and leave national and international politics to those elected by us, the citizens, to govern our political life and institutions. - Yours, etc,
Bishop PAT BUCKLEY,
The Oratory,
Larne,
Co Antrim.
Madam, - Ronan McCrea (Opinion, August 26th) feels that Cardinal Brady's comments at the Humbert Summer School indicate an unwillingness to be "pluralist". This assessment of the Cardinal's opinion is gravely erroneous - not surprisingly, since Mr McCrea shows his opposition to the Catholic Church by describing its teachings on the areas of sexual mores and gender roles as "sexist and homophobic" respectively. Cardinal Brady that some Christians felt alienated by the direction that the EU was taking. He was right. I personally know dozens of such people, including myself. Needless to say, I voted accordingly. - Yours, etc,
Dr SEÁN Ó DOMHNAILL,
Consultant Psychiatrist,
Sallins,
Co Kildare.
Madam, - I think Gary J. Byrne (August 27th) needs to brush up on his US constitutional law. The bill of rights in the US constitution protects against government action. The American pastor Rick Warren, being a private individual and not an agent of the government, is perfectly entitled to ask candidates about their religion. Perhaps Mr Byrne skimmed over the first amendment in his rush to get to the "no religious test" clause. - Yours, etc,
FRANCIS SWEENEY,
London N1.