Sir, - God bless Rev Patrick Seaver (June 18th) for seeing that Catholics who do not attend Church are not necessarily lapsed. Unfortunately, his suggested compromise is only an extension of the current theatrical production that has replaced the traditional Mass.
In the old Latin Rite, the personal ability of the celebrant was apparent only in the sermon. For the rest, he presided over a wellknown ritual. Today, however, the skeleton of the Mass is buried under a pageant whose appeal relies solely on the talent of the priest and his supporting cast.
Generally speaking, theatre and television show a more polished performance to attract our increasingly materialistic population. Wider education has improved critical faculties, so that the dictates of the Church are no longer accepted without question. The recent spate of scandals has seriously sullied the image of the clergy.
There is a growing tendency to distinguish between the Catholic religion and the Catholic Church, whose clerical Hierarchy is now seen to be only human like the rest of us. Many absent Catholics who follow sincerely the ethics of the religion see no point, except on special occasions, in attending the ceremonies of the Church. - Yours, etc.,
Peter A. Grehan, Caherdaniel, Killarney, Co Kerry.