Sir, – Eamon Maher concurs with the view that "without priests there can be no Eucharist and without the Eucharist no church" ("Rite and Reason: Priest's passing underlines crisis faced by church," March 15th).
Yet the early Christian communities thrived as they celebrated the Eucharist without the clericalist priesthood we are familiar with today.
There are many problems with the present Catholic priesthood most especially the exclusive male clericalist structure which has historically grown up around it and which many people believe is sacrosanct.
If the Church is to survive, a new way of thinking is required. It must eject all the historical baggage it has amassed over the past 2,000 years so that the real face of Jesus Christ becomes once again visible to the world.
– Yours, etc,
BRENDAN BUTLER
Malahide,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – In reply to Eamon Maher’s questions, “Who will break bread for us then? Who will supply the comforting words?”
May I suggest an ordained woman?
– Yours, etc,
BREDA O’ FARRELL,
Killarney,
Co Kerry.