Sir, - I read with astonishment and with anger. Father David O'Hanlon's article in The Irish Times (Saturday, April 19th).
Excuses can be made for his comparative youth ... he tells us that he is 28 years of age. But his "article" is both insensitive and hurtful; most insensitive is his description of the 10 priests who wrote disagreeing strongly with his views. He describes them as "contemptible"; that is a word which I would not like one priest to address to fellow priests.
What strikes me with Fr O'Hanlon's article is that it is strident - it makes no room for a contrary opinion. He is describing in a series often points, President Mary Robinson as "cheap", which I think, tells us a lot about Fr O'Hanlon ... Personally, I would find it difficult to approach someone who - at 28 - is full of such certainty. There is so little in his "article" of the charity that one would expect from a priest. There is so little respect for our widely respected President.
When I read Fr O'Hanlon's original letter, I thought it was written tongue in cheek. His original letter was bad; Saturday's "article" was deplorable. Also, I have not met any priests who would agree with Fr O'Hanlon's original letter, and certainly I am sure none who would agree with his "article" in today's paper. It is very hurtful.
On a lighter note, I think Fr O'Hanlon is lucky that he is not a priest of Bishop Kirby's diocese of Clonfert! - Yours, etc.,
The Parochial House,
Monaleen Road,
Limerick.