THERE has been much mention in the media about the canon law of the Catholic Church in relation to the crime of sexual abuse of minors by clergy.

IT IS understandable that Patrick Geaney and Mark Ryan (Irish Examiner, letters, May 11), because of the wording of its title, both jumped to the conclusion that Crimen Sollicitationis was sent to all the bishops.

I POINTED OUT (Irish Examiner letters, April 27) that “by means of the 1962 document Crimen Sollicitationis, the Vatican instructed Catholic bishops around the world to cover up cases of clerical sexual abuse or risk being thrown out of the church.”

REV GERARD GARRETT (Irish Examiner letters, May 4) wrote: “Crimen Sollicitationis was not sent to every bishop in the world and, in fact, many of them didn’t even hear of it until 2001.”

A GROWING number of young couples are applying for annulments because it is cheaper and quicker than getting a divorce.