Sir, – Sr Eileen Linehan (September 12th) laments the "silencing" of Fr Tony Flannery. So do many others. The Irish Times (Opinion, September 10th) included a passage adapted from the last chapter of Fr Flannery's new book, which was this week being launched in the Royal Hibernian Academy, doubtless to much fanfare. The article features several harsh criticisms of church authorities.
Am I missing something here? When was silence ever so vocal? And does Fr Flannery’s martyrdom not seem rather like being pelted with roses? Meanwhile, all over the country, Catholic priests who remain faithful to the teachings handed down to them are labouring on with no newspaper headlines, no media plaudits, and no book launches. – Yours, etc,
MAOLSHEACHLANN
O CEALLAIGH,
Woodford Drive,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.