Sir, - The heading to Vincent Browne's column of September 13th, "Bishops bow to shrill demands of feminists" gave the impression that readers were about to be given a reasoned comment on the recently issued Catholic Church document, "Domestic Violence".
Far from it. About 90 per cent of his contribution comprised lengthy extracts from the Old Testament, readings which are scarcely if ever to be heard in church, and are certainly not among the "much loved" scriptural passages to which objection has been taken because of their perceived anti-woman content.
Incidentally, it is not correct to say that the Catholic bishops have decreed that certain passages should no longer be read as part of the liturgy. It is clear from the document that no more than a recommendation is involved, not a decision.
It is also clear, moreover, from the few paragraphs at the opening of Vincent Browne's piece which are of his own creation and not quotations from the Bible, that he is really writing tongue in cheek. Anyone who was a regular listener to the admirable RTE Radio 1 series, Midnight Court, which he presented (with the help of a panel which included a Catholic priest and an impressive representative of feminist theology) will recall with what relish he held up to scrutiny passages in both the Old and New Testament which reflected the patriarchal excesses of the day. These are exemplified in the biblical selections in his column.
I think readers could be excused feelings of irritation. Should it really be necessary to have to read Vincent Browne's mind, rather than what he has down on paper, to know what he is getting at? He was certainly not offering a serious critique of a document at whose core lies a problem which is no joking matter but one of supreme importance and not suitable for this kind of facetious treatment. - Yours, etc.,
Des Cryan, Blackrock, Co Dublin.