Letter to the Editor: the Papal visit to Ireland will be a great opportunity

Dear Sir,

The Papal visit to the Irish Republic will be a great opportunity for us to showcase, to the world, how we have matured into a pluralistic nation.

It will be unfortunate if the ‘mature’ Republic shows itself to be a far less tolerant nation to Catholicism than Northern Ireland.

It would be a sad reflection if we do not, as a matter of course, give the respect due to a visiting head of state to the Pope especially as he coming to address people from all around the world.

Given the attraction the World Meeting of Families will generate and the subsequent business it will create, will it be too much to ask the State to cover, even partly, the security and logistical costs? Were the people asked to fund the visit of the Queen of England?

It is difficult to be a Catholic in Ireland without encountering abuse and wild accusations; the media is very limited in its support for the right to have religious freedom otherwise known as a democracy. Very few TDs will raise their head above the parapet when it comes to being identified as a practicing Catholic.

Indeed RENUA Ireland is the only party that, unequivocally supports the development of a pluralist state where all views, beliefs and faiths, subject to the law, are free and equal before the law.

It will be of no benefit to the country if the Pope’s visit is used as a political opportunity to appease the liberals in our society. The tragedy of the minority of far left liberals is their anarchistic intolerance to other people’s views.

Is it too much to suggest that virtues such as politeness and respect do not cost a penny? Therefore, we politely ask in the name of tolerance and respect, that during the Pope’s visit they could consider a mature and pluralistic approach. This would be greatly appreciated and go a long way to healing a rift that is growing and benefits nobody.

Yours etc,

Gerald O’Donoghue

Renua Dáil Candidate for Co. Wexford