We must show caution during 1916 centenary

Of course we should invite British representatives to the Easter celebrations on March 27 ... and then, if you like, invite them back for the centenary uprising celebrations on April 24!

But, please, don’t mix the two. Let me spell it out.

Around the world, Christians (good, bad, or indifferent) have this in common: they freely give their allegiance to the God proclaimed by Jesus. But they do not, cannot in fact, claim the allegiance of anyone else. That would be forced allegiance, a form of human bondage.

This is in marked contrast to modern terrorists.

Islamic State or its ilk, demand allegiance in the name of God or his self-appointed representatives. And armed Irish republicanism has long since bought into this corrupted idealism, forever demanding the allegiance of every Irish man and woman — usually in the name of the patriot dead! Think of the implications of that.

Richard Dowling

Patrick Street

Mountrath

Co Laois