Madam, - It is disappointing to hear An Taoiseach call for the same rights for homosexual couples as for married couples. He did so, perhaps not in those exact words, but meaning just that, and this, he suggests, would be the Christian thing to do.
We disagree with him for using Christianity in this context. To be truly Christian one should do everything possible to persuade those involved in dangerous, unhealthy sexual practices to change their ways, rather than urging them to continue by offering them support.
It is quite clear that the Taoiseach and Government want to give homosexuals the benefits awarded to married couples. The Taoiseach is now trying to influence the All-party Committee on the Constitution and also the judiciary, by making public comment, knowing that there is a judicial review currently taking place.
It is the opinion of the Christian Solidarity Party that the Taoiseach's intervention is designed to influence public opinion. In this way, this distasteful change might be accepted now, and it would then be out of the way when the referendum on the EU Constitution takes place. - Yours, etc.,
CATHAL LOFTUS, Chairman, Christian Solidarity Party, Dublin 1.