Madam, – I must take issue with Colm Fitzpatrick’s statement that “Atheism is as much a belief system as any faith” (February 3rd). This assumes the existence of God(s); with a choice of believing in that existence, or believing otherwise. This is not so. As far as I am aware there is no verifiable proof for the existence of any God (although I will gladly examine any should it become available), only a variety of religions that believe in such a deity’s existence. Atheism is not comparable to any belief system, in the same way that dark is not the opposite of light, it is the absence of light. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Fr Seán McDonagh (February 3rd) maintains there is a difference between “covering up” and “actively facilitating” clerical child abuse. Perhaps the following will clarify the matter for him.
If a priest in the Dublin diocese had substantiated complaints of child abuse made against him and the church authorities did not remove him from all public pastoral roles and also failed to report the matter to the Garda Síochána then they engaged in a cover-up.
If they subsequently relocated the offending priest to a new diocese and employed him in a public pastoral role involving children they were “actively facilitating” his abuse by offering him the means and opportunity to abuse children.– Yours, etc,
Madam, – I always enjoy Fintan O’Toole’s column, even if it sometimes skirts around some realities in favour of a good rant! He states (Opinion, February 2nd) that “no one can train to be a primary teacher in Ireland unless he or she is either a believing Christian or is prepared to pretend to be so”.
On Page 8 (Home News, also February 2nd) an article states that the online Hibernia College “now graduates more primary-school teachers each year than any other programme in the State with its higher diploma in arts in primary education”.
I have just scoured Hibernia’s excellent website and the only mention of “religion” is as one of 18 items in the course content.
Unless there is an entirely hidden part of the application process, the word Christian does not appear anywhere. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – What a great article by Fintan O’Toole on the predicament facing non-Catholic teachers in this country (Opinion, February 2nd). Why is the INTO so quiet on this issue? It seems the Catholic Church has an irrational fear about changing the education system. It fears a loss of control, influence, members and money.
The Educate Together model is such a fair and inclusive system of education, where all children can learn together and specific faith formation is welcomed as an after- hours activity. Lay members of various churches are encouraged to participate and help the vicars, priests, nuns, rabbis, imams, etc. Think of the countless groups and organisations that thrive on volunteerism.
It would be my contention that a move to this type of system would ultimately benefit the churches, resulting in more active and inclusive organisations. Persisting with the present system can only lead to confrontation and antagonism, with further immense damage to the image of the Catholic Church, in particular. – Yours, etc,