Sir, - Giving birth to a new Church is an awesome thing and yet this is what is happening now throughout the world. The Vatican's bullying of Sr Lavinia Byrne for her beliefs about contraception and the ordination of women belongs to the dying kicks of an old church. Her courageous stand in preserving her freedom of conscience at great cost to herself is part of the birth-pangs of the new church. Standing up, being counted and speaking out the truth in love are important parts of this process for all of us.
"For a long time I have kept silent.
Now I will cry out like a woman in labour,
I will lead my blind people by roads
They have not traveled." (Isaiah 43:14-16)
We shall cry out in protest outside the Apostolic Nunciature this Saturday from 12 noon to 1 p.m. and on the last Saturday of every month this year. Our protest is against the exclusion of women from the ordained ministries and the lack of dialogue in the church on this issue. Let Rome hear that the Holy Spirit, the giver of new life, is at work in the people of God and will not be quenched. This is a jubilee year - a year of great hope. - Yours, etc.,
Soline Vatinel, Spokesperson, BASIC, Avoca Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.