Bishops demand an apology for `Independent' article

Four Catholic bishops have sent solicitors' letters to the Irish Independent threatening legal action following an article by columnist Bruce Arnold in May. They are understood to be demanding a retraction of comments made in the article and an apology.

The letters were issued by Arthur O'Hagan solicitors, Dublin, on behalf of the Bishop of Clogher, Dr Joseph Duffy; the Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith; the Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy, and the Bishop of Elphin, Dr Christopher Jones.

The Catholic bishops spokesman, Father Martin Clarke, confirmed that letters had been sent to the newspaper but would not comment further. Neither Mr Arnold nor the Irish Independent editor, Mr Vincent Doyle, would comment. A spokesman for Arthur O'Hagan solicitors confirmed that letters had been sent last Thursday.

It is understood the bishops' actions followed a decision at their summer conference in Maynooth on June 7th-9th and is in the form of a class action.

The four bishops who have sent solicitors' letters were selected as representative of the island's four provinces.

In their discussions last June it is understood considerable grievance was expressed again by bishops at the church's treatment by sections of the media. It was decided the time had come to take a stand.

The delay in sending the letters is believed to have been due to the bishops' visit to Rome at the end of June and subsequent legal consultations. Their decision to take this course of action suggests a major shift in church strategy.

Writing in Link-Up magazine in June, the communications director of the Dublin archdiocese, Father John Dardis, proposed the church should at times adopt a stance of "robust defence" when dealing with "the challenges we face".

He accused the RTE States of Fear series of being "really only interested in one side of the story" and said its advance marketing "prevented a balanced discussion from taking place".