Madam, - It is evident from his letter that Declan Kelly (January 30th) objects to Bishop Brendan Kelly's encouragement to his priests in the diocese of Achonry "to join him as truly good shepherds for the people".
As a witness to the event I can vouch that the bishop's words were applauded warmly by those present. They were also biblically sound (the Good Shepherd), liturgically consistent with the words of his episcopal ordination on the same day, and highly motivational for his diocese.
Mr Kelly is, of course, entitled to his somewhat unkind interpretation of the bishop's words, even though he could make the same charge - "sexist" and "patronising" - against much of the Bible and Shakespeare (eg the "band of brothers" address). We all know that analogies, like parables, have their limitations.
- Yours, etc,
SEAN DUNNE, Mount Pleasant, Monmouthshire, Wales.