Madam, - Fr Gerard Galvin, (March 27th) claims that the views published in the Alive!newspaper "will almost always be 'against' the widely held views of the majority of Catholics". If this is the case, then I respectfully suggest that this is due to his failure and that of many of his fellow priests to do their job properly and teach the faith. Fr Galvin may not like it, but the views espoused by Alive!support the teachings of the Catholic Church.
On the same page Colette Browne draws attention to a headline in Alive!which warns people to be aware of "liberal tyranny".
Considering the main thrust of her letter seems to convey her indignation that a publication dares to espouse an alternative view on contraception, I suggest that this attitude is an example of the liberal tyranny Alive!is warning us about.
- Yours etc
MARIA MHIC MEANMAIN, Elizabeth Street, Dublin 3.
Madam, - It is shameful to see a Catholic priest lampooning Alive!as an "appalling paper" (Fr Galvin, March 27th) and then bemoaning the fact that parishioners in his parish are actively involved in the distribution of such a dynamic paper as Alive!.
Fr Galvin must first have difficulties with Catholic teaching primarily and secondly with Alive!.Not the reverse. Alive!never sways from promulgating the Catholic faith. Shouldn't a priest, a successor of Jesus Christ who founded Catholic dogma, be proud of his parishioners who take it upon themselves to deliver Catholic news?
- Yours, etc,
MARY O'REGAN, Firgrove Drive, Bishopstown, Cork.
Madam, - A large bundle of that appalling publication called Alive!, which is at present being discussed on your letter page, is on display at the entrance to the Pro-Cathedral. I have also seen it on display in our local church here in Lucan. That such an extremist freesheet should be placed in such prominent places speaks volumes about the state of the Catholic Church.
I have obtained a copy and it will be kept near my front door for that emissary, promised by the Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, when they call some time this year. It will be thrust at this unfortunate person demanding an explanation. If this publication represents Catholicism or is protected by it, then it's better I continue to keep my Christianity "alive" outside the church.
- Yours, etc,
JOSEPH O'BRIEN, Hermitage Crescent, Lucan, Co Dublin.