Sir, - May I congratulate Patsy McGarry for the enterprise and sensitivity of article on Bishop Casey (The Irish Times, December 8th.) My memories of Eamon go back to the 1950s when, as an enthusiastic young curate he travelled the highways and byways of Munster in his VW to put on slide shows. I would be highly surprised if anyone, in Rome, here or elsewhere, would be other than pleased if he choose to retire here in due course.
Two footnotes: The statement that Eamon "broke his celibacy vows" is incorrect as he has never married. And it is only partly true to say that if he does not come home "the good he has done will be interred with his bones, under the soil of some alien rain forest". The Great Accountant will have a full record of his life's pluses and minuses, just as He has of those of Fr Mick Cleary. When our time comes we may well find that their pluses exceed their minuses more - perhaps much more - than for many of the rest of us, clergy and laity. - Yours, etc.,
From Joe Foyle
Sandford Road, Dublin 6.