Sir, – Maria Steen (Opinion & Analysis, July 7th) predictably and simplistically blames the media for the ill will that falls at the feet of the Catholic Church when it comes to the nomination to the US Supreme Court.
I would suggest, however, that the church itself is to blame for its lukewarm Catholics. How often have we read of those who have signed up at the last minute to baptism or communion so as to appease grandparents, get a place in a school, get dressed up for a day out or just conveniently and selfishly avoid confronting their own nauseating hypocrisy?
These are the people the church regularly facilitates and it has only itself to blame for that lukewarm feeling abounding. The church accepts these half-hearted Catholics into its fold to swell is number, fill its pews and coffers and then looks to blame the media for its meekness and prevarication on moral matters.
The Catholic Church cannot have it both ways, but it chooses to do precisely that and as a result has a credibility problem that is much cooler than lukewarm. – Yours, etc,
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SHEILA MAHER,
Goatstown,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – Maria Steen considers the possibility of judge Amy Coney Barrett being appointed to the US Supreme Court. The article gives the clear impression that it is hard for a Catholic such as Amy Coney Barrett to achieve such an appointment. This could not be further from the truth since, remarkably, the US Supreme Court has a Catholic majority of five out of nine members, not including another who was raised as a Catholic but who now attends the Episcopalian Church. With the remaining three judges being Jewish, it would appear to be the case that it is Protestants and atheists who have difficulty getting appointed to the Supreme Court not Catholics. – Yours etc,
KEVIN O’SULLIVAN,
Letterkenny
Co Donegal.
Sir, – Maria Steen castigates Josepha Madigan for daring to decide what is right and wrong for her. I find it equally repugnant that Ms Steen seems to feel she should be able to judge what or who is a lukewarm Catholic. One assumes from her remarks that she sees herself as a hot Catholic. Does Ms Steen wish to apply for the position of prosecution barrister on the day of judgment? – Yours, etc,
EDWARD DELANY,
Drumree,
Co Meath.
Sir, – Maria Steen seems to accept, albeit with disappointment, that Donald Trump's upcoming replacement on the US Supreme Court for the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy is unlikely to lead to moves to overturn the Roe v Wade 1973 ruling on abortion, on the basis of the doctrine of precedent. More precisely, this is the legal principle of stare decisis ("let the decision stand") in regard to previous similar cases.
There is another political factor at play, ie this year’s midterm Congressional elections, where it is perceived that American women will not countenance any strengthening of the president’s hand in the possible rolling back of the landmark 1973 decision. So, the Supreme Court choice has many sides to it! – Yours, etc,
OLIVER McGRANE,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.