Madam, - As a reader of The Irish Times for nearly three-quarters of a century, I have come to accept your jaundiced views on the Catholic Church as I do animal droppings on the footpath. I don't like them but I put up with them.
However, two hostile Editorials and three very critical articles by senior journalists in four consecutive issues is an onslaught that I find too intemperate to ignore.
The Hierarchy of my Church are a body of men well capable of defending themselves. I would crave your indulgence, however, to allow me record my experience of some congregations.
Our children were educated to our entire satisfaction in schools run by the following congregations: the Loreto Order, the Sacred Heart Order, the Jesuits, the Dominican Sisters, the Religious of Christian Education, while one daughter who is handicapped is looked after in a wonderful way by the Daughters of Charity.
During my working life I had close contact with the Bon Secours Sisters, who run splendid hospitals cheaply and efficiently. I never knew a patient complain of their care.
In Zambia I observed over a lengthy period the work of the Holy Rosary Sisters, the Mercy Sisters, the Irish Sisters of Charity, the Irish Christian Brothers, the Jesuits, and the St John of God Brothers. They were all magnificent. - Yours, etc.,
H.E. COUNIHAN, M.D, Castle Court, Blackrock, Co Dublin.