Recalling the fear of the demise of world I knew

I have a memory of 1940, at the age of nine, in my hometown of Westport, going up James’ Street. Someone shouted "the Germans have landed in Achill, they will be here tomorrow." I felt stunned: the future in ruins, houses empty, a home no longer a home.

Now it is 2015. Acknowledging the perspicacity of Mary Kenny’s referendum prediction (Catholic Herald, March 27) that “the poll will be low, the outcome close”, brought to mind the same fear: the demise of the world I know, that marriage will be now whatever one deems it to be.

The irony is that the referendum is unnecessary. It has no constitutional compulsion. Those who are of a homosexual orientation are in no way legally, publicly or privately disadvantaged in this country. No one should think he or she is being insensitive to anyone by voting “No”.

Fears may or may not be realised but one thing is certain: human nature may not be altered while it may be mocked.

There are further values here at play: solidarity — ensuring that no vote falls idle to the ground: community — warm with procreation and worthy readying for life, a role noble and heroic, indeed the true foundation of society.

Canon James Kelly

St Marys

Tooreen

Co Mayo