Madam, - Fr Sean Fagan feels that no convincing argument to support the position adopted by Humanae Vitae has been put forward in the past 40 years. I beg to differ.
As a young person who had heard a lot of fuss and bluster about Humanae Vitae, I decided some years ago to inform my conscience and read the actual document. I was amazed at the depth of its argument and how prophetic the content was.
In particular I was impressed by Section 17 and what Paul VI felt would be the three consequences of artificial methods. He stated, in short, that young people would live more promiscuous lives, men would respect women less and governments would use contraceptive methods to control population.
After reading the document I had a deep look at what was happening in society and how Pope Paul's predictions have come to pass - for example in China's one-child policy, in the crippling of young people by our sex-mad society and in how women have, for all the great advances, somehow came to be respected less.
Finally, although John Keane (January 28th) laments the "deserted churches", on three occasions recently I have had to stand in church due to a shortage of seats. - Yours, etc,
JIMMY O'BRIEN,
Drumcliff,
Co Sligo.
Madam, - Dr Kevin E. O'Reilly (January 25th) entreats Fr Sean Fagan to "desist from sowing the seeds of confusion" among us poor craythurs for whom he has a duty of care, but I think Dr O'Reilly might profit greatly from taking his own advice.
He points out that one must "distinguish between the intrinsic merits of an argument and someone's being convinced by it". He suggests that the arguments in support of Humanae Vitae have not been properly understood.
Perhaps he might read Fr Fagan's letter more thoroughly and realise that those whose arguments eventually led to Humanae Vitae admitted their case had no basis in reason. They simply appealed to the authority of the Pope - because if the church changed its mind on this issue, that would prove it can get things wrong, and the truth of that just could not, or would not, be admitted. - Yours, etc,
ANGELA HANLEY,
Athlone,
Co Westmeath.