Army shouldering Saints Remains

[Odyessus]

I resent that remark! The Army Reserve has members of all partys/views and none.

I joined when I was 17 in 5th year, with the intention of giving service to my country.

Its also had a very positive effect of my life.

Well said sir; you are a credit to our country. Your sensible calm replies to some of the hysterical nonsense posted here are a pleasure to read.

We need more citizens like you. I thank you for your service.

[The OD]

I'm more amazed at the amount of people who seem to think hocus pocus and magic is real. Further reinforces my belief that the average Catholic or Christian believes in God and the afterlife because they are looking for a spiritual pay day, not for any real desire to do good.

So long as I get oblivion I'm happy.

[Míshásta]

Everybody is equating this parading of the relics with RC beliefs. AFAIK there is no obligation on practising Catholics to believe in these dubious practises. I'm sure some of the Bishops don't look too favourably on this parading of saintly bones around the country but they'll just keep quiet for the sake of avoiding scandal.

[absconded]

Everybody is equating this parading of the relics with RC beliefs. AFAIK there is no obligation on practising Catholics to believe in these dubious practises. I'm sure some of the Bishops don't look too favourably on this parading of saintly bones around the country but they'll just keep quiet for the sake of avoiding scandal.

Ah, sure don´t you know yourself, some people get awful excited about these things.

[oscartango]

Army escort for saint's relics

Madam, – Who decides (and on what basis) whether a Defence Forces escort should be provided at a church parade for the remains of any particular individual, deemed “saint” or otherwise?

I refer to your photograph of March 2nd showing a party of soldiers bearing the reliquary of St Thérèse of Lisieux on formal parade. I consider this unconstitutional and an embarrassingly sectarian confusion of Church and State.

In my view, the Defence Forces should provide a church escort only where the deceased has been a distinguished Irish public servant or recognised statesman or stateswoman. – Yours, etc,

JOHN HUNTER,

Belfast 15.

The Irish Times - Letters

How dare this foreigner poke his nose into our nation's affairs ! And I'll bet he's a Proddy too.

[FrankSpeaks]

Army escort for saint's relics

Madam, – Who decides (and on what basis) whether a Defence Forces escort should be provided at a church parade for the remains of any particular individual, deemed “saint” or otherwise?

I refer to your photograph of March 2nd showing a party of soldiers bearing the reliquary of St Thérèse of Lisieux on formal parade. I consider this unconstitutional and an embarrassingly sectarian confusion of Church and State.

In my view, the Defence Forces should provide a church escort only where the deceased has been a distinguished Irish public servant or recognised statesman or stateswoman. – Yours, etc,

JOHN HUNTER,

Belfast 15.

The Irish Times - Letters

How dare this foreigner poke his nose into our nation's affairs ! And I'll bet he's a Proddy too.

IMHO the guy is right and you have changed your mind since yesterday and whether he is a Proddy or not he is entitled to be considered an Irish Citizen of he was born on the island of Ireland or has one parent that is a Citizen.

[oscartango]

In what way have I changed my mind ?

[FrankSpeaks]

In what way have I changed my mind ?

You were objecting to the Army escort yesterday and today you berate a fellow Irishman for poking his nose into our affairs.

[oscartango]

You don't 'do' satire, do you, Francis ?

[FrankSpeaks]

You don't 'do' satire, do you, Francis ?

Yes, but I didn't recognise that post as satiric.