Madam, - I have just returned from Matins in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. The sanctity of the building and its sense of the great sweep of Irish history never fail to inspire. But the recent dispute about the selling of the rosary in its precincts gives pause for reflection.
I have no objection to the selling of rosary beads to our fellow Christians, and I am sure that Chaucer's Prioress would approve. What is scandalous is the necessity (as it appears) for the presence of cash registers in the holiest of our buildings.
All Irish governments have failed in their responsibility to protect the sacred heritage of the Church of Ireland. If we can afford to send Irish troops to Chad we can surely provide public monies for the preservation of our great churches and cathedrals. On this first week of Lent it is time for a big governmental re-think. - Yours, etc,
GERALD MORGAN, School of English, Trinity College, Dublin 2.