Sir, - It was nice to hear Archbishop Desmond Connell, in his Easter message, calling on priests not to be arrogant. (Not a word about the bishops!)
Years ago these haughty clerics were 10 a penny, more interested in the trimmings of the church's mores and Canon Law than the feelings and needs of their people. Actually, James Plunkett captures one of these conceited clerics exceptionally well in his book Strumpet City.
Nowadays they are, thankfully, few and far between. Occasionally, the odd one pops up and you can even see a taint of Roman pomp and imperiousness coming through at times.
The archbishop's announcement is timely as we approach the millennium - the Jubilee Year of the Lord. It is an appropriate time for all of us practitioners to strive for a more humble church of and for the people and not what we previously had - an arrogant, clerical Church. - Yours, etc., Jackie Robinson PP,
Aghaboe, Clough, Co Laois.