Sir, – I am surprised you saw fit to publish the vitriolic and offensive letter from Alan Graham (October 28th), in which he chose to heap personal insult on the Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Mr Graham writes as a board member of the cathedral. As a former member of that board, I must refute his allegations.
I should be very surprised if Mr Graham was authorised to write on behalf of the board, having consulted with all its clerical and lay members, despite his obvious wish to convey otherwise.
It is misleading and simplistic to allege that the number of regular worshippers in the cathedral is down because of the dean. We all know the problems facing the churches. This type of vindictive attack just adds to people’s confusion.
It is not generally felt in the cathedral community and the Church of Ireland that the sooner he resigns the better. The dean is often outspoken, so cannot expect to win universal approval, but he is much admired and held in affection by many in that community and further afield.
The attitude of Mr Graham and his followers may have ensured that Dean MacCarthy has remained in office past his retirement date. At least those of ecumenical disposition should be grateful that this has allowed him more time to further the cause of Christian unity. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – The Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Robert MacCarthy, should be commended and supported for his proposal to establish St Patrick’s Cathedral as a national cathedral. What better way to encourage worshippers of all Christian persuasions to rise above their differences and instead come together to celebrate all that they have in common?
Speaking as a faithful follower who is often disheartened by the dogmatic stance and lack of vision displayed by established churches, I see the dean’s proposal as pointing the way – perhaps the only way – forward for modern Christianity. That anyone purporting to uphold Christian values should oppose an initiative so much in keeping with the same is incomprehensible. – Yours etc.
Sir, – The “sturm und drang” surrounding the very worthy Christian proposal regarding even wider ecumenical collation within the liturgical tapestry prevailing at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, serves no one too well, (Patsy McGarry, Home News, October 28th). Boding somewhat ill for propagation of Christian generosity of spirit, the very public angst and tension surrounding such a proposal, risks becoming bogged down in competing protocol perspectives.
Rev Canon Michael Kennedy and Alan G Graham (Letters, October 28th) display some poignant, and not so “couth”administrative teeth, which appear merely to sully and sour the wonderful Anglican/Cof I tradition of tolerance, openness and forbearance, which flourished especially at St Patrick’s in latter years.
Coupled with Dr Giles Fraser’s resignation from the post of Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral in London, over the possible use of force to shift protesters from its precincts, it all points to a bleak spectre of buildings, barm and “bums-on-seats”, rather than authentic, radical or practical Christian witness. More the shame, it would seem.
Jesus preached in the street, on the hillside and in boats. Christianity belongs in the open air, operating as doyen of inclusiveness and loving care – a thing of practical enactment, rather than ritualised indulgence. Church buildings and liturgical practice have their traditional place, but the essence of Christianity lies in the active spiritual soul, which has little to do with buildings or protocols, or any other man-made objects of desire and “aspire”. – Yours, etc,