Madam, - The alacrity with which the Vatican has issued its condemnation of the proposed moves by the European Parliament to recognise and legitimise unions between same-sex couples stands in marked and ironic contrast with its tardy and inadequate response to the matter of world-wide abuse of children and young people by members of its clergy over so many years.
The Papal direction to politicians to oppose any or all such parliamentary moves falls little short of arrogant and impermissible interference in civil matters in which it has neither competence nor rights, and will, one hopes, meet with the dismissal on the part of our legislators which it merits. Such interference in matters civil might have been thought of as something belonging to a more benighted and cleric-ridden past, but old habits die hard, it seems. One wonders if this present rush of homophobic blood to the episcopal head will engulf those members of the Catholic clergy who are so-called closet homosexuals, but yet manage to follow faithfully their priestly calling in daily fear of being outed: latest figures suggest that around 20 per cent of Catholic clergy come under this grouping.
The thrust of the proposed European legislation in this field would appear to be an attempt to grant rights relating to shared property and right of inheritance, such as applies to heterosexual married couples. As such it is difficult to see what the present Pope finds to object to in such strong and condemnatory terms - other than the Pavlovian reaction of successive pontiffs whenever the matter of homosexuality rears its head.
This present diktat from Rome will further fuel the bigotry and hate-filled reaction of the more fundamentally inclined across the world, with the inevitable violence inseparable from such mindsets. The response in America will bear watching in this respect - one remembers with a shudder the shooting of doctors outside legal abortion clinics in that home of the brave in the fairly recent past. And it is not without significance that Rome's latest pronouncement finds ready and enthusiastic backing from the President and Republican Party members in that country.
But perhaps a little common sense - or common humanity - may this time be more apparent. The world isn't going to stop if this legislation passes in our European Parliament and a more tolerant attitude towards the already difficult life of homosexuals might be engendered. Perhaps we may here have an opportunity to broaden such tolerance and understanding of sections of humanity which - through absolutely no fault or choice of their own - have been created with different orientation from the bulk of the human family. One can but live in hope. - Yours etc.,
DAVID GRANT,
Mount Pleasant,
Waterford.
Madam, - It is with profound sadness that I read of the Catholic Church's vehement attack on the idea of legally recognising unions between same-sex couples. The church's 12-page document called these unions "hurtful", "immoral" and added that "Allowing children to be adopted by persons living in such unions would actually mean doing violence to these children. . ." Such pronouncements from an institution that effectively condoned the sexual, physical and emotional abuse of thousands of children over decades is hypocrisy the likes of which I find it hard to comprehend. - Yours etc.,
DAVID WILKINS,
Kilmantain Park,
Bray.