Madam, – Just as it looked as if Ireland’s reputation in international eyes could not sink to new depths, along comes the Marian tree stump.
Your report (“24-hour vigil at Marian stump”, July 10th) notes that in the past few days, hundreds of people have come from far and wide to visit and pray at this supposed arboreal representation of the Virgin Mary.
The sight of people praying at a tree stump that resembles the Virgin Mary brings forth images of superstitious peasants in the Middle Ages living in a dark corner of Eastern Europe.
I’m sorry if I appear to be shouting down from my moral high-ground (and I know I’m risking being burnt at the stake for this) but ...come on!
It’s the 21st-century, for God’s sake! A lot of people are using the argument “If it gives some people hope and comfort, sure what’s the harm?”, but this is a typical Irish trait of letting something go that really should be challenged.
We are talking about the downright absurd and ridiculous. This isn’t about whether there is or isn’t a God – that’s a different debate.
For example, the most sensible quote I have come across was a local priest saying: “There’s nothing there...it’s just a tree. You can’t worship a tree!”
Here, we are talking about people finding something holy and divine in a tree stump.
Saints preserve us! Heaven knows what will be next! – Yours, etc,