Priestly Celibacy

Sir, - As the debate on clerical celibacy resumes, many people forget one of the more serious practical concerns raised by this issue: married priests must be able to support a wife and children.

So, before some of my confused brothers and sisters in the Church begin to clamour for the ending of the ban, could I respectfully ask that they pledge to increase their weekly contribution to the Church by at least a factor of six? On a matter like this, it is time for the campaigners to either put up or shut up. - Yours, etc.,

Patrick Kenny,

Kill Avenue,

Dun Laoghaire,

Co Dublin.