A chara, - In today's world, both sexes are subjected to hatred as a matter of course, but I never expected to see such blatant misandry on your letters page as that expressed by Máire O'Mahony (August 29th).
In her letter she recounts the tale of attending a Church of Ireland service that was presided over by female clergy. We are told that the sermon bidding prayers were "very moving, very relevant and made a huge impression on me". She then makes the ridiculous claim that women and married clergy by the Catholic Church are needed to "articulate at services the deepest concerns of their congregations".
Miss O'Mahony is perpetuating the claim that men are unfeeling stones without an ounce of compassion, desperately wondering when their next beer and conquest are coming. She has insulted every male priest by claiming that they are incapable of empathy with their congregations.
Perhaps she is claiming that lack of experience in female and married matters is what handicaps celibate male clergy. I have never suffered from serious illness. Does this mean that I am incapable of praying for the sick, as I have never experienced what they are suffering? - Is mise,
LEO TALBOT, Lucan, Co Dublin.