Madam, - It is not my intention to comment on the main thrust of Liam Cahill's letter of April 21st.
His references to Blessed Edmund Rice in historical and evaluative terms are commendable and acceptable.
However, his generalised comparison between Rice "and the behaviour of his successors" is insulting to the vast majority of Christian Brothers. They and their colleagues spent their lives under the influence of the "unsurpassable idealism" of Brother Rice and became part of the realisation of his seminal and faith-filled vision.
It is quite certain that the people in Ireland can distinguish between the successes and the failures of individuals, groups and society. Today, they can recognise a pursuit and acceptance of justice that honours truth. Brother Rice's amazing achievement, with his followers, was to rise above the entrapments of history to become, as it were, an extraordinary bridge-builder to a new kind of future. - Yours, etc.,
Brother EDMUND GARVEY,
Director of Communications,
The Christian Brothers,
North Circular Road,
Dubin 7.