Sir, - In the light of the continuing stream of papal pronouncements that have attempted to stifle dissent and free expression in the Catholic church, perhaps it is not surprising that Kevin Myers ( An Irishman's Diary, August 28th) should think that one cannot be Catholic and believe in choice. The good news is that it is possible to disagree with the church and remain within it. Furthermore, the church can and does change its teachings. It did not always condemn slavery, for example. The idea of monolithic and unchanging church teachings not subject to human error and reform is mistaken and misleading.
The church is not simply an organisation, as Mr Myers says. Rather than an army of unquestioning foot-soldiers, the Catholic church is more like a family. Like all families we have differences of opinion and sometimes we argue among ourselves. Indeed, as one theologian has said, Catholicism is characterised by unity in diversity.
Opinion polls from around the world tell us that dissent from many church teachings can be the majority position. If those who differ with the Hierarchy on contraception, divorce, women's ordination, sexuality and reproductive choice were to leave the church, one must ask how many people would be left.
As an Irish citizen, I am one of many who has lived through the difficulties and pain over the past few years as the Irish church has moved toward maturity and adulthood. The dark days of a silent and frightened laity of the 1940s and 1950s are long gone. Many of us do not accept that, like children, we must be seen and not heard. The Catholic church is our church too, and as uncomfortable as it may make conservatives feel, we do not plan on leaving any time soon. - Yours, etc.,
Jon O'Brien,
Director of Communications and Education,
Catholics for a Free Choice,
Washington, DC.,
USA.