Sir, - I am a long-time critic of Vatican II which opened the doors for the dissent of what became the do-it-yourself faithful. It is possible that I could be classified as a member of the mythical right of our Church. To have a right there must be a left and we have neither in our Church. We have belief, participation and reasoned internal discussion. Those who do not publicly or privately share in our modus operandi may exercise their lawful right not to serve and we and they will have lost. When they choose to return and accept the magisterium it is their gain and ours and an occasion of great joy. In 2000 years we have had triumphs, failures, successes, betrayals and the need for reformation. But the rock has remained unmovable and will always be so because He has so ordained.
I am a long-time admirer of Fr Brian Darcy. In his Rite and Reason column (The Irish Times, January 20th) he states: "There will be the usual anonymous letters from the far right followed by the persistent pleas to bishops to shut me up". I am not making such a plea. I am demanding that the Church authorities return Brian Darcy to Dublin and consecrate him into their ranks where his voice and his blessed talents can fulfill God's will and fill a notable void in the ranks of the Irish Hierarchy.
If Fr Darcy's present appointment, which is a bonus for the diocese of Down, was intended as a penance, then I would see such a posting as another ecclesiastical blunder and a further reason for cleaning out the stables. With limited pastoral experience, if any, Dr Connell did not merit appointment as Archbishop of Dublin and I viewed his elevation as a distrust of the active laity and an exposure of the bishops' own insecurity.
I was press officer for the Papal visit to Drogheda. - Yours, etc.,
Upper Kilmacud Road, Goatstown, Dublin 14.