Sir, - I read with interest the letter from Dr Noreen O'Carroll (May 12th) about Sinead O'Connor's appearance on the "Late Late Show". I would like to make it clear that I had nothing whatsoever to do with her appearance. In fact, on that very night, as on other occasions during the previous week, I had declined "head-to-head" interviews on both TV and radio, out of my concern for her. ead O'Connor's fragile psychological state.
Can I also make it clear that I had no involvement or knowledge of the ordination of Sinead O'Connor. I regard the actions of Bishop Michael Cox as gravely unwise and gravely lacking in discretion. I have communicated my views to Bishop Cox and I have felt it necessary to distance myself from him.
As for Dr O'Carroll's statement that she would like to "knock heads" and "crack skulls", I am totally ignorant of Dr O'Carroll's physical stature but I would not like her to crack my skull. Instead I have today written to the doctor offering to attend Milltown Park for dialogue with her good self, her colleagues and her students so that she will come to realise that my ministry is about helping, not damaging.
I recently made that type of visit to the Church of Ireland Training College and the dialogue with the staff and students was extremely fruitful. -Yours, etc., (Most Rev) Patrick Buckley,
Presiding Bishop, The Oratory Society, Larne, Co Antrim.