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Catholic hierarchy perpetuates corruption and dysfunction Catholic hierarchy perpetuates corruption and dysfunction
(7 months later)
Cardinal Keith O'Brien will disappear into the shadows having admitted and apologised for his offences ("O'Brien priest worries that church wants to 'crush' him", News). How did he think that this would stay forever unknown to the public? Your sins will find you out. What about the damage done to those four individuals who have carried this for years? How can anyone think bishops have anything relevant to say to our wider society?Cardinal Keith O'Brien will disappear into the shadows having admitted and apologised for his offences ("O'Brien priest worries that church wants to 'crush' him", News). How did he think that this would stay forever unknown to the public? Your sins will find you out. What about the damage done to those four individuals who have carried this for years? How can anyone think bishops have anything relevant to say to our wider society?
I am a practising Catholic and so is my wife, but we are hanging on by our fingernails and I think I have reached the stage now where Catholics like myself need to stand up and make it plain. The hierarchy is only perpetuating corruption and dysfunction among clergy who are demoralised. The hierarchy makes a mighty stand against gay marriage and all the time at the top of the institutional church, hypocrisy reigns.I am a practising Catholic and so is my wife, but we are hanging on by our fingernails and I think I have reached the stage now where Catholics like myself need to stand up and make it plain. The hierarchy is only perpetuating corruption and dysfunction among clergy who are demoralised. The hierarchy makes a mighty stand against gay marriage and all the time at the top of the institutional church, hypocrisy reigns.
My faith will not be lost but the attachment to a church that still advocates celibacy for priests and opposes female priests is over. .My faith will not be lost but the attachment to a church that still advocates celibacy for priests and opposes female priests is over. .
Eoin MacAodhEoin MacAodh
LeicesterLeicester
Saddam was no longer a threat
Saddam was no longer a threat
Nick Cohen continues to defend our invasion of Iraq by drawing attention to the atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein ("Ten years on, the case for invading Iraq is still valid", Comment). But atrocities such as the gassing of the Kurds and the brutal suppression of the Marsh Arabs, as well as the unprovoked invasion of Iran (with our encouragement), all took place between 12 and 15 years before we went in. At the time of the invasion, Iraq was emaciated after 12 years of comprehensive sanctions, surrounded by hostile forces, teeming with UN inspectors (who pleaded with Bush and Blair to be allowed to stay and finish their work) and with no-fly zones imposed on over half the country.Nick Cohen continues to defend our invasion of Iraq by drawing attention to the atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein ("Ten years on, the case for invading Iraq is still valid", Comment). But atrocities such as the gassing of the Kurds and the brutal suppression of the Marsh Arabs, as well as the unprovoked invasion of Iran (with our encouragement), all took place between 12 and 15 years before we went in. At the time of the invasion, Iraq was emaciated after 12 years of comprehensive sanctions, surrounded by hostile forces, teeming with UN inspectors (who pleaded with Bush and Blair to be allowed to stay and finish their work) and with no-fly zones imposed on over half the country.
Saddam was no longer a threat to his neighbours, to his minority groups, and certainly not to us. We know now that Tony Blair had to manipulate the data in order to persuade Parliament that he was a threat – an unforgivable deed. The war was not a last resort. Many of us were taken in at the time, but by now we should know better.Saddam was no longer a threat to his neighbours, to his minority groups, and certainly not to us. We know now that Tony Blair had to manipulate the data in order to persuade Parliament that he was a threat – an unforgivable deed. The war was not a last resort. Many of us were taken in at the time, but by now we should know better.
David SimmondsDavid Simmonds
EppingEpping
Chancellor must change course
Chancellor must change course
Latest figures for the UK construction industry show output falling at the fastest rate since October 2009, with a marginal rise in housebuilding more than offset by significant drops in commercial activity and civil engineering. They are clear signsof the need for a change in economic strategy from the chancellor when he presents his 2013 budget later this month.Latest figures for the UK construction industry show output falling at the fastest rate since October 2009, with a marginal rise in housebuilding more than offset by significant drops in commercial activity and civil engineering. They are clear signsof the need for a change in economic strategy from the chancellor when he presents his 2013 budget later this month.
Whereas the construction industry ought to be playing a key role in building a long-awaited recovery in the economy, these figures show it is holding back that recovery because of a lack of new orders. The damaging effect of significant budget cuts is becoming increasingly clear. The chancellor can reverse this situation by prioritising direct capital investment and introducing targeted tax incentives to stimulate private sector activity. It's high time for a change of course.Whereas the construction industry ought to be playing a key role in building a long-awaited recovery in the economy, these figures show it is holding back that recovery because of a lack of new orders. The damaging effect of significant budget cuts is becoming increasingly clear. The chancellor can reverse this situation by prioritising direct capital investment and introducing targeted tax incentives to stimulate private sector activity. It's high time for a change of course.
Michael Levack, executive director, Scottish Building FederationMichael Levack, executive director, Scottish Building Federation
EdinburghEdinburgh
Not so great train robber
Not so great train robber
In contrast to Henry Porter's comments on the death of (yet) another train robber ("Great Train Robbers? More Lavender Hill Mob", Comment), I found the demise of William Boal to be an inspiration for one of my regular school assemblies. My story, The Legend of Bill Boal, told how Boal, as a friend of one of the gang but not a participant, agreed to look after some of the money after the robbery. He was sentenced to 24 years. Unlike some of the others who escaped, gained infamy or served reduced sentences, Boal died of cancer in prison. Like all good moral tales, there was no need "to complete the circle" of this story for my pupils.In contrast to Henry Porter's comments on the death of (yet) another train robber ("Great Train Robbers? More Lavender Hill Mob", Comment), I found the demise of William Boal to be an inspiration for one of my regular school assemblies. My story, The Legend of Bill Boal, told how Boal, as a friend of one of the gang but not a participant, agreed to look after some of the money after the robbery. He was sentenced to 24 years. Unlike some of the others who escaped, gained infamy or served reduced sentences, Boal died of cancer in prison. Like all good moral tales, there was no need "to complete the circle" of this story for my pupils.
Keith Clark (former headteacher)Keith Clark (former headteacher)
Poulton-le-Fylde, LancashirePoulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire
Grayling's infinite debt to God
Grayling's infinite debt to God
AC Grayling should acknowledge that, without religion, there would be no AC Grayling ("Religion teaches us nothing. We learn from human nature", Comment). Not, at least, as we have the pleasure of knowing him today. There would have been no Renaissance. Writing and books owe much to monks and their manuscripts, as do schools, colleges, universities – and professorships. He might also take a closer look at religions in general, say Buddhism and the Quakers, to find that his generalisations are totally false, as they are about Socrates, whose notions of gods or god abound in his discourse. The trouble with what may be termed theophobia – and it's everywhere today in the media – is that its own language, reasoning and educative power are all due to religious people of the past.AC Grayling should acknowledge that, without religion, there would be no AC Grayling ("Religion teaches us nothing. We learn from human nature", Comment). Not, at least, as we have the pleasure of knowing him today. There would have been no Renaissance. Writing and books owe much to monks and their manuscripts, as do schools, colleges, universities – and professorships. He might also take a closer look at religions in general, say Buddhism and the Quakers, to find that his generalisations are totally false, as they are about Socrates, whose notions of gods or god abound in his discourse. The trouble with what may be termed theophobia – and it's everywhere today in the media – is that its own language, reasoning and educative power are all due to religious people of the past.
Dr Ian FlintoffDr Ian Flintoff
OxfordOxford
Is Rayner mealy-mouthed?
Is Rayner mealy-mouthed?
Jay Rayner may like to consider a vegetarian diet before suggesting we may all have to resort to eating processed insect burgers ("Of course we don't want to eat bugs but can we afford not to?", News). I then read his other article "Animal Passions" (Magazine) and realise there's no chance of that!Jay Rayner may like to consider a vegetarian diet before suggesting we may all have to resort to eating processed insect burgers ("Of course we don't want to eat bugs but can we afford not to?", News). I then read his other article "Animal Passions" (Magazine) and realise there's no chance of that!
Colleen HowardColleen Howard
KentKent
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