Where is Church compassion?

■ Prompted by the Bishops’ Pastoral letters read out at Masses across the country last Sunday, I felt obliged to respond.

At 10 years old, I was incredibly empowered and moved by Mary Robinson’s presidential success – our first woman president.

Motivated by a remarkable teacher and the history associated with our locality in north Cork, educated within touching distance of the birthplace of Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, a suffragette and Irish nationalist, I felt inspired.

At 10, I wanted to be the first Irish woman priest.

Focused, I asked my local parish priest to allow me serve on the altar. His response was harsh and quick: “As long as I am parish priest in this parish, no girl will serve on my altar.”

At 10, it became clear to me I did not belong in the Church that I believed in. I did not belong on an altar where I wanted to pray.

As I read these letters by our bishops it becomes apparent the sentiment lacks true compassion.

Do women of Ireland deserve no compassion in times of crisis? Our history, our Magdalene Laundries, suggests compassion is unknown to the Church.

As I write women are making heart-breaking decisions in the face of devastating circumstances. Parents who receive a diagnosis that their much longed-for baby will not survive must leave their home and receive the compassionate healthcare they deserve elsewhere.

Humanity is a common thread in our Bishops’ letters, yet these women facing these tragic circumstances receive little humanity, care or empathy.

Religion has no place in our Constitution. Laws that enforce Catholic morality and equate sin with crime must be repealed.

On May 25, Irish people will decide what type of care our women deserve and what type of abortion they support.

Lillian Meade Mallow, Co Cork