Madam, - As if the incessant summer rain were not enough, do we really need to be exposed to such an empty and negative value system as that represented by Paul Durcan (Opinion, August 19th)? His poem was not only dismal and sad, but its irony and cynicism only served to focus on his own narrow prejudices - or to use his own phrase, as a fairly pathetic "individualistic gesture". - Yours, etc,
ANNE GORMLEY, Ennis Road, Limerick.
Madam, - What a world of difference between two opinion pieces in your edition of August 19th concerning controversies in the Anglican Communion and Catholic Church. Susan Philips addresses the problems confronting the recent Lambeth Conference in a manner which manages to respect both sides while clearly stating the core issues of biblical authority and Christian coherence. Paul Durcan resorts to good old-fashioned bishop-bashing.
It is, of course, so much easier to heap abuse than to attempt to understand a bishop's motivation for what he does or the responsibility he bears to guide his flock in accordance with church teaching. If a bishop's lot was never an easy one, it has certainly become a long slow martyrdom in modern Ireland.
When are our so-called cultural élite going to extend the same courtesy and respect to the hierarchy that they demand for everyone else? How long will we have to wait for some emotional maturity to enter public discussion where the Catholic Church is concerned? - Yours, etc,
MARIE O'NEILL, Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3.