Sir, - I was moved almost to tears at the thought of Fr Fagan getting so upset at the sexist comments made by various Church Fathers (January 9th). Sackcloth and ashes have appeared early this year.
I must be in some sort of minority group as I can see no reason why anyone should feel the need to apologise for words, actions or omissions carried out by other people in the far-off past. Alas, even the current Roman pontiff has jumped on this politically correct bandwagon in recent times. As a priest I am somewhat bemused that our concern with the "sins of the Fathers" is occurring during a period when many people are convinced of their own lack of personal sin.
At the risk of contradicting the above, I call on the following to apologise immediately:
The Italian government should offer up a mea culpa for executing Jesus, Peter, Paul and various assorted martyrs.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on behalf of the British people, should grovel to us for inflicting the Spice Girls, the Teletubbies, Chris Evans, etc. on the innocent people of Ireland.
The Irish Hierarchy, in return, should apologise for imposing their views on the Anglo-Saxons and Picts 1,400 years ago. - Yours, etc.,
Ballybofey, Co Donegal.