Sir, - I would like to take issue with Joe Armstrong's hostile presentation of my views in his article on celibacy last Monday (Well and Good). Firstly, I believe that most married people - and not merely some of them - are happily but imperfectly married. It would see myself in an analogous light - happily, but imperfectly, celibate.
Secondly, I believe that it is possible to live an authentic married life without believing in God whereas an authentic celibate commitment simply would not survive without such a faith and without its conscious nurturing through prayer and meditation. It simply does not follow that I therefore consider my life option "superior".
Thirdly, with regard to my reference to a "charmed existence moneywise" readers may conclude that I have lots of money and no responsibility. On the contrary, I have no money of my own and I am held accountable to others for whatever limited resources are made available to me.
Finally, in our interview, Joe Armstrong was very strongly of the view that celibacy is basically about the exercise of power, though he does not declare this in his article. Power comes in many shapes and forms - including both priesthood and journalism. It always calls for the responsible treatment of those over whom one has power and, for the unwary, it always carries the same tendency to corrupt. - Yours, etc.,
St Francis Xavier's,
Upr. Gardiner Street,
Dublin 1.