Madam, - The town of Drogheda has been a focal point for violent events throughout Irish history, including the siege of 1641, Cromwell's attack in 1649 and the Battle of the Boyne in 1691. It is no wonder then, that Killineer outside Drogheda was chosen as the location for Pope John Paul II's famous speech of reconciliation in 1979.
Throughout the years we have become accustomed to ecumenical services in the Augustinian Church, with the participation of members of the Church of Ireland and other faiths. I can remember the harvest celebrations and particularly the visit of former president Mary Robinson in 1995 during the 700th anniversary celebrations of the Augustinian Foundation.
On a social and cultural level there are good relations between members of both churches. When Barlow House and St Peter's Church were being restored to their former Georgian glory the community as a whole supported these two major town projects. Many Catholics attended the re-dedication service in St Peter's at which Archbishop Robin Eames presided as the main celebrant. Both communities gather annually for the first World War Cenotaph in Mary Street, and on the verge of the peace process I can remember the important and symbolic visit of Sir Patrick Mayhew, the Northern Ireland Secretary, and his ensuing speech.
During the recent Easter Mass many public bodies played an active role. These included the Garda, local nurses, ex-Army, the ex-Servicemen's Association and the Boyne River Rescue service. The Augustinians have always welcomed everyone to their church ranging from the conservative to the liberal. I was delighted to be asked to organise the music for the Mass as I have played in the past at both Catholic and Church of Ireland services. Drogheda is fortunate in having Fr Richard Goode, Fr Iggy O'Donovan, Fr Noel Hession and the Rev Michael Graham as local pastors. They are noted for their generosity and their ministry in the local hospitals is deeply appreciated by the community.
I realise that this letter has been written late in the day but I do wish to give your readers the broader context and why it was possible for such a ritual to take place in Drogheda. With regard to the possibility of ecclesiastical sanctions I wish to draw both Hierarchies' attention to a speech made by Lord Soper to the House of Lords in December 1969. Referring to the Rev Ian Paisley's supporters he said: "His followers threw a Rosary and Bible at me, which I felt was at least an ecumenical gesture". Let us hope that the above mentioned items will be the only missiles that both Hierarchies will hurl at Drogheda's so-called errant pastors.
I will leave the final words to Dean Jonathan Swift: "We have enough religion to make us hate but not enough to make us love one another". - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL HOLOHAN, Bredin Street, Drogheda, Co Louth.
Madam, - Several years ago I wrote to the Letters page warning of the dangers of "pioneering" celebrations of eucharistic inter-communion. Since then, things have not changed. Being one of Anglican and Roman Catholic parentage, I understand acutely the real-life difficulties and disappointments which the interdiction on this kind of sharing creates. But Fr O'Donovan's "celebration" was nothing more than an individualistic stunt which has merely highlighted the acute obstacles which still conspire against full communion between the Catholic Church and other ecclesial communities.
Fr O'Donovan obviously had the best of intentions, but his ecumenical gig involved a gross act of disobedience. If the Church allowed such events to be repeated, the flood-gates would certainly open to all kinds of artistic twists on the Church's supreme act of sacrifice.
Members of both communities desire full unity, and in particular the children of mixed marriages cherish fervent hopes of inclusive celebrations. I include myself in this. However, the Eucharist must never be treated like a picnic, where each and all can bring divergent tastes and assorted ingredients to the table. We must stop being sentimental and ridiculous and wake up to the reality that there are cosmic doctrinal differences between the two churches. And even if Fr O'Donovan organised several hundred "inclusive" celebrations, these differences would not evaporate. - Yours, etc,
SEÁN ALEXANDER SMITH, Sandyford, Dublin 18.