Stop appalling treatment of our good clergy

AS a practising Roman Catholic and proud to be so, I am appalled at the bias in reporting by certain sections of the media in regard to our clergy.

They are constantly knocking our ordained priests and religious and our Roman Catholic Church in general. Most of these journalists would have been baptised Roman Catholic.

I abhor and condemn any abuse of children, whether it be sexual, psychological or physical. Unfortunately, it has happened in every walk of life. It is only a very small minority of priests who have engaged in such.

However, I am also dismayed by the unfair abuse of our ordained Roman Catholic priests and religious. Having worked closely with priests, for many years, both in Ireland and in Africa, I have seen how hard they work. They are on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week. They never complain, never look for increases in salary, never go on strike, nor a go-slow but just work quietly in their parishes. I was stunned, in particular, to see the recent Prime time Investigates program in regard to Fr Kevin Reynolds. I was amazed at the unfounded allegations made against this fine priest. To me, and I have no doubt, to so many other committed Roman Catholics, it is the last straw to learn of the Government’s decision to close down the Irish embassy to the Holy See in order to save taxpayers’ money.

I am saddened to think that we are in such a mercenary atheistic Ireland, a far cry from the country in which our forefathers went through such hardship and persecution in order to practise their Roman Catholic faith. It now appears that our priests and religious are going through a similar persecution for their faith. We should be on our knees thanking God for such committed people.

In these present circumstances, I feel obliged to put pen to paper. I would feel guilty to remain silent.

Helen O’Brien

Curraheen Road

Bishopstown

Cork