Sir, – My kingdom is not of this world, said Jesus (John 18.36).
Why then does the Roman Catholic Church need a state? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – As an Irishman and practising Catholic doing his best, I was shocked by the decision to shut the Vatican embassy.
Responsibility for this act of betrayal of the overwhelming majority of Irish Catholics lies squarely with Enda Kenny, also a practising Catholic, as Taoiseach and head of Government and not with Eamon Gilmore – whom at least is a self-confessed atheist; but whose pathetic attempt to explain it as an economic necessity, however, will fool no one with an ounce of intelligence.
It is just more boorish, spiteful, anti-Vatican venom, all for a mere €700,000 or so we’re told – 30 lousy pieces of silver; and if the Catholic hierarchy weren’t so utterly useless, it would be in the vanguard of protest up and down the country.
Diplomatic reciprocity demands the closure of the nunciature in Dublin and transfer of his excellency to a consulate in Armagh to meet the spiritual needs of the loyal Catholic population – from the safe haven of the United Kingdom where the Vatican is properly respected – until this appalling decision is reversed. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – As a Mayo man, I find it very sad, to see a fellow Mayo man overseeing the Fine Gael dog being wagged by the Labour tail.
We all make mistakes – it is how we correct them that makes us heroic.
Hopefully Enda Kenny has the courage to correct his with grace and dignity. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I read with increasing delight your report on the closing of the Irish Embassy in Vatican City. In view of recent revelations and our straitened times it shows that at last we have a Government in touch with public feeling.
It also has two by-products, it makes clear to the world that the era of Ireland as a priest-ridden state is gone forever, and it ends the abomination of the Vatican’s representative being treated as somehow being more worthy than all other diplomats. – Yours, etc,