Mary McAleese deserves a place in the Church hierarchy
What a powerful interview Sean O’Rourke held with our former President Mary McAleese (RTÉ Radio 1, March 12).
She is not fighting for the ordination of women and said she fully accepts the ruling of three recent Pontiffs that women may not become priests of the Catholic Church.
However, she rightly questioned the adequacy of the formation of seminarians and the training of priests when it is delivered exclusively by males.
Ms McAleese appears to be rock solid in her adherence to Roman Catholic orthodoxy and her understanding of a loving God.
She is striving to make changes from within the Church which she professes to love and, as a Canon lawyer, she is eminently qualified to speak with authority.
Unlike our religious and political leaders, she did not fudge the issue, but bravely divulged sensitive family issues when Mr O’Rourke unexpectedly – he later admitted – questioned her on a separate matter.
Why is there no forum for such a competent and articulate woman in the Irish Church hierarchy and/or the Vatican Curia?
M Jennings
Ballinasloe, Co Galway