Madam, - Dr Donal Murray, Bishop of Limerick, is to be congratulated for writing the letter which you printed on May 1st. His main subject is absolution - particularly general absolution.
No doubt members of the Hierarchy have noticed that the faithful in the Catholic Church (those who are left, that is) flock to Communion. However we do not flock to confession in the same numbers. One might conclude that we have all given up "our auld sins" and so have nothing to confess. Somehow, I doubt that.
Perhaps many people are like me. On Sundays and some weekdays, I receive the Eucharist at Mass. I do so with gratitude and respect. I gain strength from the ritual to cope with the vicissitudes of life. I like the fellowship with other Christians that the exercise entails.
Needless to say, I am no angel - alas! Nevertheless, I do not go to confession of any kind. I trust in God to forgive me because I am sorry for my various faults and I hope to reform with God's help. Other Christian denominations manage without confession. Why can't Catholics do so also?
Would it not be wonderful if this Ireland of saints and scholars could stop "digging" with different feet and begin instead to "dig" with both feet together! Instead of falling on our bottoms, as you might expect, we just might be able to rise like the Phoenix from the ashes of years of useless wrangling and hair-splitting over dogmas and petty rules, into a bright new world of ecumenical togetherness! - Yours, etc.,
IRENE REDMOND, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.