Sir, - I was very pleased to read in L.M. Power's letter (January 7th) that the Roman Catholic Church "continues to point out right from wrong" and in particular "will fight against discrimination", being "ever-ready to help the poor, the marginalised and the oppressed". You will forgive me, however, if these comments leave me slightly puzzled.
Is this the same organisation which permits only men (being, of course, unmarried, heterosexual and celebate) to enter the ranks of its priesthood? Could this, moreover, be the same institution which fought so vigorously to exempt certain religious-run establishments from the provisions of the (ill-fated) Employment Equality Bill 1996 and the Equal Status Bill 1997? (See section 37 of the former, and section 8(3)(b)(i) of the latter). Your correspondent might wish to relieve me of my understandable confusion. - Yours, etc.
From Fergus Ryan
New Square, Trinity College, Dublin 2.