Madam, - Brenda Drumm, project manager of the Year of Vocation, justifiably takes me to task (October 13th) over my letter of October 9th. However, I can assure her that I was fully aware that the Year of Vocation project hoped to broaden the concept of vocation. But sadly, this aspiration is more honoured in the breach than the observance. Listen to the bidding prayers at Mass: the Year of Vocation is still fundamentally about priesthood.
The theology of Vatican II, especially in Gaudium et Spesand Apostolicam Actuositatem, is inspiring in its view of the vocation of all baptised people, but in the intervening 40 years this ideal has suffered a slow asphyxiation at the hands of the Church leadership.
That the Irish Church is proceeding with the male-only permanent diaconate is just one sign that vocation, despite noble aspirations, is still conceived narrowly. Another is the fact that non-ordained hospital chaplains (male or female) who have accompanied the sick on their journey to their last moments cannot administer the Last Rites.
The clustering of parishes (often against the wishes of the faithful) makes it very clear that priesthood - and not the Christian worshipping community, despite its varied vocations - is seen as central.
The front-page photograph in Monday's Irish Timesmakes a further point. A handful of lovely dogs appeared delighted to receive an official blessing from the Church, but a Catholic gay couple who want to solemnise their commitment to each other and live out their vocation as homosexual people in a stable, loving and Christian relationship cannot receive such an official blessing.
Nor can a man or woman whose first marriage has failed and who has found love and true married vocation in the second relationship.
I honestly and sincerely wish Ms Drumm success with the Year of Vocation, but I believe the project is being undermined from within. - Yours, etc,
ANGELA HANLEY, Beech Park, Athlone, Co Westmeath.