Cardinal has right to speak for Catholics

The comments by Pat Rabbitte on RTE radio in relation to Cardinal Brady represent a flagrant abuse of the correct concept of separation of Church & State.

It was a bit like listening to an old-style Soviet aparatchik making an announcement on state-controlled radio, that the party line must be adhered to.

Thankfully the Soviet Empire has collapsed and Cardinal Brady is perfectly entitled to articulate the Church’s teaching on important aspects of social policy. Indeed as Cardinal, he is obliged to do so.

Mr Rabbitte appears to have no problem in accepting submissions from all sorts of campaigning groups in relation to such matters, and that is perfectly acceptable. For example, pro-homosexual marriage groups are positively encouraged by the Labour party to state their case.

The singling out of any group for censorship is sinister in the extreme. Unfortunately the Labour party has “previous” form in this regard. Fundamentalist elements in the party attempted to introduce a policy whereby Catholics were effectively banned from the Civil Service — a virtual return of the Penal Laws to Ireland.

Given Mr Rabbitte’s political pedigree it is perhaps not surprising that this neo-Stalinist mentality still forms part of his make-up. However, such views have no place in a tolerant, pluralist Republic.

Eric Conway

Navan

Co Meath