Sir, - The controversy aroused by President McAleese's reception of Communion in Christ Church Cathedral hinges on the significance attached to the act of taking Communion. Many people see that act as reflecting the meaning of the words, "I am united with this group in belief." But, as Archbishop Connell in his article of December 19th states, "the reality is that disunity still exists between the churches on core differences in belief." No one can deny this reality, so to receive Communion in a Church whose beliefs one does not fully accept is to pretend. If one does not attach this meaning to the act then no problem arises.
The President, then, either pretended to be in communion with the beliefs of the Church of Ireland when in fact, as a Catholic, she has "core differences in beliefs", or she did not attach this significance to the act, in which case all the reactions, critical or welcoming, are irrelevant.
What a private citizen chooses to do is a matter of private conscience. What the President of Ireland does, at a very public occasion, after which, as Patsy McGarry reported, "[she looked] deliberately towards the media seats" gives rise to public debate and even to hurtful exchanges between Church leaders who are committed to working towards unity. I think it is a great pity that she did not have the foresight to prevent this situation. Only by acknowledging differences and working to overcome them can ecumenism be achieved. It will certainly not be achieved by pretending that the differences don't exist. - Yours, etc.,
From Anne McElheron
Greystones, Co Wicklow.