Madam, – I refer to your report (Home News, May 4th) about a reduction in the present number (26) of Roman Catholic dioceses in Ireland.
Dr Vincent Twomey thinks there should in future be just 12. This just happens to be the number of Church of Ireland dioceses. The Roman Catholic Church has, I suppose, a nominal membership of 90 per cent of the population in the Republic and the Church of Ireland just 5 per cent. All of which makes one think! – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Congratulations to Patsy McGarry and The Irish Times (Home News, May 4th) for reporting on the ongoing, behind-the-scenes discussions taking place in respect of the future structure of Irish dioceses.
As a practising Catholic I have tried repeatedly to engage my local parish, pastoral area and diocese in discussion on the future shape of our church, but all to no avail. It is so sad that after all the clerical scandals of the recent past, and despite all the rhetoric, there is still no way by which ordinary Catholics can influence in any meaningful way the future shape and direction of our church. It seems that any notions of consultation and collaboration are unknown to most of the Irish church.
Matters are so grave here in Co Kerry that there is not one student in training for the priesthood and yet there seems to be no urgency in addressing meaningful ways by which lay Catholics can take greater responsibility for their church. Those in positions of authority are not just lacking in mission and vision but seem to have some form of death-wish for our church. – Yours, etc,