Madam, - While there are some reports of new life in the Catholic Church in Latin America, the church in the Western world is still struggling with a huge problem of credibility, and Ireland is no exception. We are still in shock from the scandal of clerical sex-abuse and the much greater shock of the years of cover-up by church leaders - all the way up to the Vatican - who took notice only when the media publicised the sad facts.
This cannot be solved by a general council or papal decree. A much deeper remedy is needed. The recently retired Australian bishop Geoffrey Robinson has touched the heart of the problem by showing the absolute need for a profound and enduring change in church thinking and practice on the subjects of power and sex.
It would be sad if his call were to be summarily dismissed by people who will not take the trouble to read his excellent book Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church (Columba Press, Dublin).
A major step towards renewal in the Church could be taken if bishops and laity would study his book and discuss it in groups, truly sharing and listening to each other - not in the sense of just letting others speak, but in the spirit of really "wanting to hear", convinced that by genuinely listening they might just hear a whisper of the Holy Spirit leading them into the whole truth, especially the truth of the gospel and the wisdom of Jesus.
In spite of Vatican II there are no structures in the church for its leaders to hear the Holy Spirit speaking through the lived experience and lives of faith of the laity, God's holy people, who make up 99.9 per cent of church members. Unlike most church leaders, Dr Robinson actually listened to victims of sexual abuse and said it was one of the most profound experiences of his life. He is not a maverick, but a totally dedicated Catholic who truly cares for his church. He has degrees in philosophy, theology and church law, and this background shows in every page of his book.
It is one of the most meaningful, inspiring and moving books that I have read in many years. It is no exaggeration to say that one who reads it with open mind will experience something of the "burning-of-heart" felt by the disciples on the road to Emmaus. - Yours, etc,
Fr SEÁN FAGAN SM, Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.