Madam, - I am glad that Noel Gorman (March 31st) puts the word "facts" in parentheses when discussing Alive! because it is certainly apt in this case, as the facts tend not to trouble the editor too much. My own inquires have elicited that this "Catholic" monthly is little more than a platform for one man's extremely narrow view, which would explain Terry McInerny's question (March 25th) as to why none of the "poison-pen style" articles are signed.
It is bad enough that this "monthly" is given home in the porches of many churches, thereby conferring some kind of respectability by association on it, but those of us who find its fundamentalist rant objectionable now no longer have the choice of leaving it behind. It is following us to our homes. However, it is a short run from the letterbox to the recycle bin, or in my case providing the perfect bin-liner to the bottom of my fruit/vegetable bin, so that when I'm tipping it on to the compost heap, the whole pile of mush falls out cleanly. - Yours, etc,
ANGELA HANLEY,
Beech Park,
Athlone.
Madam - Maria Mhic Mheanmain (March 29th) berates my "indignation" at Alive!'s apparent bravery in espousing "an alternative view on contraception".
In reality, Alive! could choose to champion holy water and a Hail Mary as a reliable method of contraception for all I care, as long as the publication refrains from printing untruths and inaccuracies about more scientific options.
Taking the contraceptive pill does not "risk the early abortion of a baby", as Alive! claims and Ms Mhic Mheanmain seems to believe. The drug acts to suppress ovulation entirely, making pregnancy a non-event.
Furthermore, scaremongering about the alleged carcinogenic qualities of the pill is without merit. A Lancet study published at the start of the year revealed that the contraceptive pill substantially reduces women's risk of ovarian cancer and continues to protect them for at least 30 years after they stop taking it.
The editorial in the respected medical journal concluded: "Women deserve the choice to obtain oral contraceptives over the counter, removing a huge and unnecessary barrier to a potentially powerful cancer-preventing agent."
Finally, Alive! also claimed that the contraceptive pill caused bone density problems in women. Regrettably for the research-shy author of that article, it is another contraceptive drug, Depo-Provera (an injection which typically lasts for three months), which causes these problems.
Let Alive! espouse whatever crackpot theories it wishes when it comes to preaching about contraception, but the least I would have expected from a so-called Catholic publication would be something resembling an accurate, informed debate. - Yours, etc,
COLETTE BROWNE,
Redmond Road,
Wexford.
Madam, - Alive! promotes the "culture of life", the family, and fairness and balance in the media. It is full of interesting news from home and abroad, much of which is not reported in the mass media in Ireland. It is also not without some humour. All in all the title of the publication is very appropriate.
Its editor, Fr Brian McKevitt OP, is an orthodox Catholic priest. He is not reluctant to publish home truths which some people find unpalatable and, consequently, reject - as can be seen from some correspondents in the letters page.
I have found the publication interesting, informative succinct and a good read. - Yours, etc,
IVO O'SULLIVAN, PhD,
Family and Media Association,
Maretimo Gardens,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.