KEVIN CARROLL,
Madam, - I refer to a letter of October 29th in which someone suggested (possibly a bit cynically) sending the Power to Change booklet to Cardinal Connell. I am part of a registered prayer group with Power to Change. We greatly appreciated the support of Cardinal Connell for the campaign.
On May 24th this year he wrote to all the parish priests in the archdiocese encouraging them to become involved in Power to Change, stating: "At a time when the power and value of Christian faith are under question and when the Church is experiencing particular difficulties in our own country and elsewhere, this is an opportunity to re-focus on essentials and the very heart of our faith, which is our relationship as individuals and as a community with the person of Jesus Christ."
His letter led to many more Catholic bishops becoming actively involved in Power to Change - 460 in all, out of an all-Ireland total of 1,010 registered churches and parishes.
Your readers may also be interested to learn that during the Power to Change campaign 1,000 special events were organised all over Ireland; 10,500 people called for a free book/CD ROM pack; 15,000 people browsed the website, spending more than 11 minutes on average; 85,000 packs were purchased by churches and parishes and up to 100,000 homes were visited.
The shocking revelations of the recent Prime Time programme on RTE 1 serve to highlight the great need for change not only in individual lives but also in church structures and systems.
We pray for all the Catholic bishops to sincerely welcome and co-operate fully with State inquiries and to give leadership to so many bewildered priests and laity, so that we all might experience "times of refreshing," in line with Acts 3:19 - "Repent then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that you may experience times of refreshing from the Lord".
Jesus does give the power to change, if we ask with humility and repentance. - Yours, etc.,
KEVIN CARROLL, Shanganagh Vale, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin.
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A chara, - At such an advanced age, in his 77th year, is it fair or proper that Cardinal Connell be subject to such sustained attack from so many quarters? - Is mise,
RICHIE O'GRADY, Fermoy, Co Cork.
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Madam, - Why are clerics who advocate that canon law takes precedence over the law of this country not arrested and charged with treason?
In my opinion they should be stripped of Irish citizenship and deported to the Vatican, where they belong. Nihil Upstart. - Yours, etc.,
MICHEÁL Ó NUALLÁIN, Belgrave Square, Monkstown, Co Dublin.
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Madam, - Paedophile is surely a misnomer. Paedophobe sounds infinitely more suitable. - Yours, etc.,
J.A. McKEEVER, Convent Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin.