Why condemn a truly Christian gesture?

RÓNÁN MULLEN’S column (Irish Examiner, April 27) condemning Fr Iggy O’Donovan was nothing short of disgraceful.

It’s about time Mr Mullen differentiated between defending his faith and defending the institutions of the Catholic Church.

Faith is a personal thing. It is something that people can draw strength from, and while I don’t share it, I do respect it.

The Catholic Church, however, is a vast organisation that will do anything to preserve itself. It seems to be more interested in retaining power than in following the teachings of its founder. Its actions should be questioned at every opportunity.

Fr O’Donovan offered the hand of friendship to others — the very essence of Christianity. He and others like him should be encouraged at every opportunity to interact with people of different faiths for it is in this way tolerance and understanding grows.

In a world of strife, we must offer the hand of friendship across the barriers that separate us.

To condemn those who do so only reinforces the views of the fundamentalists who exist in all religions and gives them one more excuse to preach their messages of hate.

John Smith

McKee Barracks

Blackhorse Ave

Dublin 7