Madam, - It is disgraceful that the Government is not allowing us to mourn the death of Pope John Paul II officially. The day of mourning for those who died in the 9/11 attacks was a noble gesture, but the cynic in me questions wonders if that decision was made because of our economic ties to the US. Even Cuba, a communist country no less, is giving three full days to mourning the Pope. If the reason for not having a day of mourning is economic, then why not have it on the weekend?
The Pope came and supported this country in 1979 when few others were bothered. He is owed a debt of gratitude for that. Surely Bertie Ahern's ramblings on how much he "liked the man" are not going to be our only formal response to his passing? What message are we sending to his successor? What message are we sending to our fellow EU citizens in Poland? - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL KELLY, Dunmore East, Co Waterford.
Madam, - The call for a national day of mourning for Pope John Paul II has widespread support. But should Ireland not be celebrating the Pope's life on earth and transition to eternal life rather than mourning his passing? A national day of celebration would be more appropriate.
The Irish Government declared a national day of mourning, in Irish national economic interests, for those people killed on September 11th, 2001 in the US. This was a cynical act, followed up by our active participation in the Iraq war by inviting US troops to use Shannon airport to conduct that illegal war. Fewer than 3,000 people died in the 9/11 attacks, while over 100,000 have died so far in the ongoing war in Iraq. Why have there been no calls for a day of national mourning for so many innocent people killed in Iraq?
Pope John Paul II was a man of God and a man of peace who condemned the Iraq war in particular. It would now be an insult to his memory if this Irish Government were to call a national day of mourning for the Pope, having degraded the whole concept of mourning in an Irish context. - Yours, etc.,
EDWARD HORGAN, Newtown, Castletroy. Limerick.
Madam, - Awakening on Monday to the calls for a national day of mourning, I found myself bewildered and bemused.
We had a national day of mourning after the 9/11 attacks because there was nothing else to be done other than express our sympathy and empathy. We couldn't help clear the rubble, we couldn't console the families, and we couldn't arrest the suspects. In contrast, we didn't have a day of mourning after the St Stephen's Day tsunami because there was so much else to do. In this case we could provide humanitarian assistance to those who were victims of a natural disaster that no one could prevent.
There is no similarity to either of these scenarios in the death of John Paul II. As 1.1 billion Catholics around the globe mourn his death, it is not the place of a government to decide who should mourn and in what manner. The effect of the Pope's death on many of our citizens is palpable, but as Ireland grows increasingly multinational and multi-denominational, mourning cannot be a State priority.
In addition (and I say this with the utmost respect), the Pontiff will not be mourned by all. Liberal - and even moderate - Catholics found the Pope was in many respects too conservative and seemed unconcerned that his stance on contentious issues was leading to a disastrous fall in church participation. While the steadfast holding of such strong convictions throughout a lifetime is to be admired, not all agree with the values he upheld, as Dana Rosemary Scallon does. Catholics in many circles hope that the passing of John Paul II may present the cardinals with an opportunity to evaluate the state of the Catholic Church and choose a Pope who will breathe new life into the Church.
While the passing of such a giant of the past few decades will be deeply felt, individuals of any faith, should they so wish, can express their grief in a myriad ways, and it is not something that needs to be accommodated by the Government. - Is mise,
SARAH MURPHY, Innishmore, Ballincollig, Co Cork.
Madam, - Those who genuinely wish to mark the Pope's funeral by going to Mass or praying privately can and will do so without the carrot of a day off work.
The main beneficiaries of public holidays are the owners of pubs and off-licences. - Yours, etc.,
NIALL GINTY, The Demesne, Killester, Dublin 5.