Great work besmirched by actions of the few

IT’S a great time for anti-church people. They have shamed and exposed the church forever, or so they probably think.

However, I think it’s only fair to mention the great contribution that brothers, nuns and priests have made to education. Yes, they did have a very high and severe standard of discipline. But I think it was the general opinion in those days that this severe discipline was necessary or else things would get out of hand. It’s a pity some carried it too far. Of course there is no excuse for immoral behaviour.

We now have the very real problem of class control in schools and youth control outside of school. More jails will not solve the problem.

There are no black-and-white answers to these problems. A high standard of discipline is necessary.

Priests, brothers and nuns have made a great contribution to education. It is a pity that it is besmirched by the improper behaviour of the few.

Mícheál O Loínsigh

Sean Bhóthair

Baile Mhire Íre

Co Chorcaí