Sir, - Fr David O'Hanlon asserts that "a person of integrity who tolerates contraception ... cannot possibly in conscience become or remain a Catholic" (The Irish Times, October 29th). Sadly, this assertion may indeed be true. The key word here is "tolerate".
Contraception, abortion, divorce, euthanasia, homosexuality, mixed marriage, married priests, women priests, women (other than as slaves) and any view of the meaning of life contrary to that of the Roman Catholic Church do not have any valid place in the world of David O'Hanlon and those who share his intolerant views. Some of these things may not be desirable or acceptable, but they exist and happen and in some situations may be valid. War, poverty and injustice are intolerable, yet the same institution rarely asserts itself passionately against them.
Catholic, in essence, means universal. Hope exists in a universal faith or belief - not allied to any institution. The Roman Catholic Church has become a very unholy organisation full of errors and omissions. Though many people who remain under its persuasion are good and true in themselves, the very force of that persuasion is often responsible for ills in various societies across the world. The institution's fear of what it calls "secularism" may simply be a fear of the awakening of true spiritual values and beliefs which threaten the very material hold on power by that institution.
Debate and discussion of all the issues I mention needs to be welcomed, encouraged, opened up and valued. Regrettably, the Magisterium doesn't want open discussion. It is "right" and that's it. Yet, it is timely that Pope John Paul recently requested reflection upon the meaning of life. I sincerely hope that request will be taken up far and wide across the planet - and beyond, maybe!
Perhaps Fr O'Hanlon is to be congratulated for raising the issue of contraception, even in an apparently intolerant form. Everything needs to be given a fresh airing, especially as we meet the challenge of the advent of Y2K. Does it really matter if one is Catholic, non-Catholic or otherwise if we try to be decent, honest and human beings? - Yours, etc., Joan De Vere Jennings,
Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.