Madam, - It is interesting that almost cheek by jowl on page 19 of your edition of January 26th there are opposing views on conservatism in the Catholic Church.
While acknowledging in Pope Benedict's encyclical his compassion and his upholding of "the continuity and old certainties of the faith", your Editorial finds the Papal view of monogamous and heterosexual marriage a "cold, bleak view of human nature and sexuality" for those who find love outside of Catholic marriage.
On the other hand, Kevin Myers, in his Irishman's Diary, decries the liberal attitude of Bishop Kirby towards Fr Dillane, who fathered a child with a woman "young enough to be his grand-daughter". Mr Myers writes that the Catholic Church is losing moral perspective, and that it should abide by its own rules, in this instance that of clerical celibacy. The Church knows the difference between right and wrong but, he asks, "does it openly condemn aberrant behaviour"? Fr Dillane violated his vow of celibacy, and Mr Myers adds in outraged tones, that Bishop Kirby "considers this a private matter".
In Deus Caritas Est Pope Benedict reiterates traditional Catholic teaching. Dr Kirby, while not condoning the fall from grace, shows compassion towards one of his flock who has strayed. And what would Christ have said in the circumstances? "Your sins are forgiven you. Go, and sin no more." One presumes the Pope would concur with this, albeit counselling the ideal.
However, it is indeed novel to find Kevin Myers and Pope Benedict on the same moral wavelength, especially when one remembers Mr Myers's jaunty views in the past on the social necessity for prostitution, whereby the female body is merely a sex object - in the words of the papal encyclical "to be used and exploited at will. . . a commodity to be bought and sold", and shamefully debased. - Yours, etc,
VERA HUGHES,
Moate,
Co Westmeath.