Sir, - As a Catholic priest and missionary, I wish to dissociate myself completely from the intemperate and offensive letter from Rev David O'Hanlon (March 2nd). He manages to insult members of the Church of Ireland at all levels, patronise Catholic laity, and misrepresent the attitude of a significant number of Catholics to the present controversy.
Without producing a single shred of evidence, he imputes base motives to Church of Ireland priests who invite other Christians to share the Eucharist with them in their churches. We are told that "so-called intercommunion" is "false-tongued, back-door proselytism". Not content with swinging his scythe through the Church of Ireland community, he also has a few scores to settle with fellow Catholics. Many of my lay friends would reject his contention that on the few, usually festive, occasions when they might participate in the Eucharist in the Church of Ireland, they are either "seduced" or are theologically illiterate. They would read his remarks for what they are: another example of clerical condescension towards the laity.
Father O'Hanlon's theology and language seems more appropriate to the 16th century than the 21st. He appears to be unaware of how provocative language can fan the flames of sectarianism and lead to suffering and death. He also shows little knowledge of the extraordinary movement on ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue that has taken place since Vatican II. When Pope John Paul 11 exhorted the new cardinals, on the day after their elevation, to redouble their efforts to promote ecumenism, I don't think he envisaged a bad-tempered letter from a young priest to a national daily newspaper as part of that endeavour. - Yours, etc.,
Father Sean McDonagh, Dalgan Park, Co Meath.
Sir, - Father David O'Hanlon's letter (March 3rd) is profoundly offensive. I am a convert to Anglicanism from Roman Catholicism. I was not seduced, proselytised, duped or bribed, but met in Eucharist hospitality the God to whom I have prayed all my adult life. That Love bids us welcome is the foundation of Anglican faith and worship, even if that leads to vilification by those who seek to make exclusion a sacrament. - Yours, etc.,
Maria Jansson, Beechdale, Co Meath.
Sir, - An ecumenical rift over the Eucharist develops. Sharp remarks follow, promoting letters to The Irish Times. Unfortunate language and phrases are used to sing ecumenism to a new low. Hurt is caused. Some criticise their own Christian church, others criticise the church of their fellow Christians. Kevin Myers urges "a fight back" policy. All sincere and genuine, all statements made in the name of true Christianity. May I add just one further comment to this Eucharistic litany: "See how these Christians love one another". - Yours, etc.,
Adrian Hewson, Convent Road, Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
Sir, - The late Mother Teresa of Calcutta, when being interviewed a few years ago on the Late Late Show, was prompted to say that a special priority for her was to encourage people to be better Christians.
It's very sad to hear our church leaders currently bickering so much. The function of the churches ought to be to bring people to Jesus Christ, not necessarily to any particular denomination. Perhaps we should all seek God's guidance as we study the third chapter of St Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. - Yours, etc.,
Wesley Beck, Dungar, Roscrea, Co Tipperary.