Madam, – Ciaran O’ Connell (August 19th) commenting on Prof James Mackey’s current series in the Rite and Reason column, states that it is an anti-papal diatribe. Far from it, this eminent Catholic theologian of international acclaim pursues the great mysteries of scripture and from other sources to reveal the great truths of Jesus Christ.
His recent book Jesus of Nazarethwas endorsed by Fr Enda Mc Donagh, emeritus professor of moral theology, at St Patrick's College Maynooth, priest and journalist Brian D'Arcy and a number of other prominent persons.
The Rite and Reason articles are a summary of Prof Mackey's more elaborate thoughts available to those who read his book, Jesus of Nazarethin which he has given serious readers profound insights to Jesus Christ as prophet messiah and as son of God. In doing so he has seriously questioned established belief and practices of the Catholic Church and suggested radical changes which no doubt will upset some traditionalists.
It is important to state that Christ wrote nothing. He spoke in ancient Aramaic. The Gospels were written in Greek from hearsay some 50 or 60 years after his death. Prof Mackey has devoted his life and wisdom to further interpret the metaphor of scripture and other historical sources to enlighten biblical scholars and the faithful.
Nobody said that the Gospels contained the whole truth. The Gospels are the “good news” We must continue to search and learn. – Yours, etc,