Sir, – Archbishop Dermot Farrell is to be commended for his quote that we need to change from a “clergy-owned” church to a church truly “owned” by the people of God (“‘Great change’ needed in Dublin’s ageing Catholic Archdiocese, says report”, November 26th).
Sadly the Task Force Report does not take any steps in this direction and prefers to ask the people of God to continue to support a failed patriarchal structure.
The report states that: “Some issues raised in the consultation are beyond the scope of this Task Force and thus are not reflected in this strategy”.
Nowhere in the report are these “issues” listed or discussed. If you cannot even identify these important issues it totally undermines the report.
– Yours, etc,
COLM HOLMES
Blackrock
Co Dublin.
Sir, – The report on the Dublin Archdiocese concludes that “many hard decisions cannot be avoided”.
Is it possible that such hard decisions would include the Archbishop calling publicly for the right of women to be admitted to priesthood?
Given the shortage of priests, would Rome be likely to dismiss him from his post as a consequence to such a declaration?
– Yours, etc,
MARGARET LEE,
Newport,
Co Tipperary.