Madam, - Breda O'Brien's article on the future of the Catholic Church (Opinion & Analysis, April 12th) reminds me of a conversation I had about 10 years ago with a rural parish priest.
When I asked him if he was concerned about the drop in vocations to the priesthood he replied: "Not at all. It just means that the Holy Spirit is sending us a message." In my view that message is that we should change from praying for vocations to the priesthood to praying for vocations to the Christian life.
The gifts to be achieved from that change of strategy is that while we will have fewer priests, they will be affirmed and valued by the Christian community. It will mean fewer Masses, but maybe we will appreciate the Mass all the more.
At the same time, the Christian community will be free to use their talents to actively live the Christian life by prayer, pastoral work and participating in creative para-liturgies.
Meanwhile, let's listen to the Holy Spirit. - Yours, etc,
TONY CORCORAN, Fairbrook Lawn, Dublin 14.
Madam, - Your report of April 14th on the "initiative to raise profile of vocations" quotes Dr Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, saying there was a need for a "new type of presence in society". The accompanying photograph shows the archbishop with a young female parishioner.
Surely it is past time for the Catholic Church to reconsider its prohibition on more than half of its congregation being eligible for priesthood and to realise that this "new type of presence" is female. - Yours, etc,
GREG SCANLON, Ballycasey Manor, Shannon, Co Clare.