Altered states

BACK in the 1970s, when I came back to live here after a spell in England, the Irish clergy were highly respected. This was in sharp contrast to England where Anglican vicars were the butt of comedians’ jokes.

Here, making any kind of remark about a priest or a nun was taboo.

But in a very short time, the situation has reversed. Now, commitment to religion in England is respected.

But in Ireland the clergy’s status has collapsed - being a priest leaves one open to suspicions of the worst kind.

Whatever happened to the notion of being innocent until proven guilty?

Peadar Ó Laoire

Ardán Túreen

An Pasáiste

Co Chorcaí