Angelus gong no longer for Catholics only

REGARDING the current debate on the appropriateness or otherwise of RTÉ broadcasting the Angelus, I share the views of Paul McCarthy, (Letters, August 24).

He expresses his approval for the retention of the status quo.

Lobbyists for the removal of the Angelus display not just a degree of intolerance towards their Christian neighbours, but also a misunderstanding of the current modified “call to reflect” which RTÉ broadcasts twice daily. The social imagery that accompanies the call to reflection is devoid of partiality towards any specific religion.

Indeed, so compliant is the RTÉ authority with the framework convention for the protection of minority rights that not one representative of any Christian church in Ireland has requested the discontinuation of the Angelus bell.

On the contrary, reasonable people accept that the broadcasting of the Angelus no longer has an exclusive connection with the Catholic church and is merely a general call for all to reflect on their lives in what many would regard as a rapidly approaching post-Christian Ireland.

Queen Elizabeth II is supreme governor of the Church of England as the established church. As a republican, I could take offence at the number of Irish-based institutions whose names include a “royal” prefix like the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, the Royal Dublin Society and the Royal College of Surgeons. I could argue for the removal of the prefix on the grounds of their relationship with queen and church.

However, I respect these organisations and recognise the valuable contribution they make to Irish national life. The fact that they have a “royal” prefix is merely a residue of our colonial past and they have no religious or political significance.

Tom Cooper

Delaford Lawn

Knocklyon

Dublin 16