Sir, - It is just possible that intercommunion in Christian churches is the single most pressing item facing the Catholic Church today? It is probable that it represents such a threat that Dr Connell raises the issue just prior to departure for Rome, stoking it while there and returning to the same theme immediately on arrival back at Dublin airport? Personally, I think not.
I am 40 something, well travelled and informed. In my lifetime I have been present at one Protestant service where Communion was possible. As an invitation to stray (as Dr Connell would see it) its probability of occurring in an average Catholic's life is almost nil.
So what is behind this created controversy? It is largely hype, mostly about power and territory and yes, it's a sham. The Bible, the bedrock of all Christian churches, in its injunction to Eucharist is remarkably free of the casual casuistry and obfuscation of current debate: "Wherever two or more are gathered in my name .. . " and "Do this in memory of me" suggests that the essence of the ritual centres on the purity of mind and belief of the partakers.
To Dr Connell I would say, let the topic be. It is immensely worrying that when you could have chosen so many other relevant issues that concern all Christian churches in common today, you pick the one which is divisive and damaging to the broad Christian cause while contributing nothing to it. Your priority now must be to address the ongoing crisis in Irish Catholicism caused by your and the Hierarchy's handling of recent problems which to date have been approached with something less than honesty. As Catholics we have little to offer to sister churches if our own is requiring of order. - Yours, etc.,
Tom Moran, Swan, Athy, Co Kildare.
Sir, - How dare the Rev Stephen Neill call on Catholic priests to speak out against our Cardinal (The Irish Times, February 26th)? Is it not enough to seduce lay Catholics - who are motivated largely by politeness, not theology - away from their faith, without inciting the clergy to heresy as well? So much for not telling ministers of other denominations what to say.
No priest I know disagrees with Cardinal Connell's recent restatement of core Catholic doctrine. We are all appalled, however, by the sheer bitterness and impudence shown by Church of Ireland personnel at all levels. Let us recognise so-called intercommunion for what it is: false-tongued, back-door proselytism. Do Anglicans also offer ham sandwiches to their Jewish guests - in the spirit of "inclusion", of course?
As I observed three years ago, it used to be soup - now it's sherry. - Yours, etc.,
Rev Fr David O'Hanlon, CC, Parochial House, Kentstown, Navan, Co Meath.
Sir, - When I recall that the church condemned Joan of Arc for heresy in the 15th century and canonised her in the 20th; that it persecuted and isolated Galileo in the 17th century and apologised for its conduct in the 20th, I believe that I will be forgiven for taking Dr Connell's pronouncements with a grain of salt. - Yours, etc,
Tom Geraghty, Ursuline Court, Waterford.
Sir,- C.T. Greenan OP writes that "when a non-Catholic minister of religion publicly welcomes Catholics. . .to receive Communion in his church. . .surely that shows a lack of respect for the Catholic Church."
With respect, I would point out that our priests, just like everyone else in the Church of Ireland, are Catholic. To refer to them as "non-Catholic" surely shows a lack of respect for my Church. As for Father Greenan's point, I can't see how a welcome to share the Eucharist can be disrespectful to anyone, least of all to Jesus Christ who seems to have been mentioned very sparingly in the recent debate. - Yours, etc., T.C.F. Doorley, Rushbrooke, Cobh, Co Cork.
Sir - Let Cardinal Connell rest assured that his own flock are not the only ones to be discommoded by the Church of Ireland.
On visiting my local branch of the Upstart Communion, I found nowhere for visiting Muslims to put their footwear. - Yours, etc.,
D.K. Henderson, Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3.
Sir, - Before receiving Communion at Mass we pray: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed." Dr Connell's recent remarks do not evoke anger or sadness, just indifference. As long as we take in the message of the New Testament and listen to our consciences we can ignore a Hierarchy that is preoccupied with rules and regulations. - Yours, etc.,
Robert Duffy, Woodside, Hacketstown, Co Carlow.