Madam, - Would not the sale of a few artefacts - perhaps no more than one - from the Vatican's vast treasures easily pay this "compensation" for clerical child abuse? Or is that a naive question? - Yours, etc.,
JAMES MURPHY,
The Pigeons,
Athlone,
Co Westmeath.
Madam, - Marie Gallagher (March 15th) responds to my request that religious orders be compensated for their tremendous contribution to education and medical services by comparing the heroic sisters and brothers to the hypocrites who did their good works to be seen and praised by people - and merited the comment by Christ: "They have had their reward." (Matthew 6.2)
How unjust. How unfair. How hurtful.
The other words of Christ should be pondered upon: "Judge not that you may not be judged." (Matthew 7.1) - Yours, etc.,
Father CON McGILLICUDDY,
Parish of St Gabriel,
Dollymount,
Dublin 3.