Sir, - The outburst from junior minister Liz O'Donnell denigrating the moral authority of the Catholic Church marks a sad if not surprising return to the anti-Catholic rhetoric so beloved of our politicians over the past 30 years. That Ms O'Donnell's position stems more from knee-jerk anti-Catholicism than from a rational response to actual events is evident from the fact that, in spite of the bulk of criticism of the Taoiseach and Ms Larkin having come from the Church of Ireland, Ms O'Donnell attacks only the Catholic Church. She appears not to attack anything it has said or any particular action it has taken on this issue, but attacks rather its right to hold any moral position which is different from that of the secular State she represents.
The position of all Christian denominations, including Catholicism, is that marriage should hold a position of special regard within society as it is the only bedrock upon which a civil, just and truly liberal society can be based. This position is increasingly coming to be accepted by erstwhile enemies of Christianity as they observe with alarm the degeneration of cultures based on the principles of non-value which Ms O'Donnell's party in particular has espoused.
All parties in this State have over the past 30 years launched a consistent and aggressive campaign against marriage, involving discrimination against married couples in terms of taxation, social welfare provision and equality of opportunity, to the point where they have succeeded in fostering a culture of single parenthood and reduced marriage rate which is a response not to public demand, but to the financial pressure imposed against married couples by the State.
That Ms O'Donnell should say that the Church has no moral authority because of the behaviour of some of its members is the equivalent of saying that democracy has no mandate by virtue of the corruption of some politicians. It is a meaningless and foolish attack which appears to be derived not from reason but from closed mindedness.
It is right that the Church should be irksome and troublesome to the State. What is deeply worrying is that politicians are incapable of responding to alternative viewpoints without a crass resort to a high handedness and intolerance. The comments Ms O'Donnell has made against my Church are hugely offensive. It would be unthinkable for any Government junior minister to make similar comments about any other religious, ethnic, social or cultural group without being forced to resign. Any Taoiseach not hopelessly compromised by his own position would demand that Ms O'Donnell do so immediately. - Yours, etc.,
Michael Leahy, Clifden, Corrofin, Co Clare.