Curious critique of Mary McAleese’s position on Baptism

Sir, – The comparisons made by Revd Conor O’Reilly in his letter critiquing Mary McAleese’s views on Baptism are curious (“By Mary McAleese’s logic, parents are constantly violating their children’s rights,” Letters, November 5th).

None of the parental decisions he lists – school choice, vaccination or medical treatment – permanently binds a child to a particular institution or belief system. Baptism, however, is rather different. Following changes to canon law several years ago, the Catholic Church maintains that a baptised person can never leave the Church, even if they subsequently reject its teachings and want to be counted out.

I am also bemused that O’Reilly expects McAleese, a Catholic and a canon lawyer, to write about the initiation rules of other religions. Does he himself routinely use his own sermons to examine the religious practices and doctrines of other faiths?

Perhaps he might address the substance of McAleese’s argument rather than question why she has chosen to discuss an issue on which she is particularly qualified to speak. – Yours, etc,