Madam, - Your edition of January 8th reports the setting up of a new Christian organisation, the Iona Institute, which aims to promote marriage and religion in society, drawing on Catholic social thinking. While I certainly support efforts to promote marriage and the psychological and social good that so often result from it, I question Prof Patricia Casey's public involvement in such a clearly Catholic enterprise.
Psychiatrists have a duty to promote mental health with objectivity and open-mindedness. A research institute that is driven by ascribed moral views rather than genuine scientific inquiry cannot achieve this.
Psychiatrists should be careful when mixing personal religious conviction with politics. Gay and lesbian people have already experienced the potent cocktail of religious dogma and an unobjective psychiatry. The consequences of this have been tragic levels of depression and suicide. This has taught us the clear lesson that religion and psychiatry do not mix. Patricia Casey should learn this lesson. - Yours, etc,
HUGH RAMSAY, Trees Road, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.