Sir, - I found it painful to learn of Sister Lavinia Byrne's decision to leave religious life - painful in much the same way as it was to learn that Bruce Kent had decided to leave the ordained priesthood some years ago. We, the collective Church, are the losers.
And Sr Byrne's statement that she felt "bullied" by the Vatican is salutary.
There was a little brightness around for me, however, when I discussed the matter with others junior to me; some of them were able to say: "Good on her! The more people who stand up to be counted, the sooner will there be justice within the Church!"
Silver lining, then, behind a cloud which is very dark indeed. And best of all, in the long run, despite the interim pain, they can only be right.
When will the powers that be in the Vatican learn? - Yours, etc.,
Betty Maher, Vernon Grove, Rathgar, Dublin 6.