Apology to the Holy Father

by Letters Editor · December 23, 2010

From Aideen Gonlag, St Michaels-on-sea, Kwa-Zulu Natal

Some six months ago in the midst of the sex abuse controversy in the Church and what appeared to be the silence of the pope on the matter, I lampooned him as the absent-minded professor in his ivory tower, unaware of what was happening around him.

I now wish to apologise most sincerely to the Holy Father for that mistaken judgement. Three things have motivated this apology:

Firstly, it was most noticeable since then that in each country he visited, the Holy Father made a point of meeting representatives of victims of abuse and he obviously shared in their anguish and pain.

Secondly, his �miraculous� visit to Britain (to quote Chris Moerdyk), during which he won over the hearts of many by his deep personal interest in them all. He truly was a �man for all seasons� (young and old) and rightly earned the nickname �Holy grandfather�.

Finally, and this point has particular relevance to our country, the news that the pope has said that in the fight against Aids, condoms may be used, something long advocated by Bishop Dowling, if I am not mistaken. Indeed, it can be readily included in our teaching on the culture of life on the grounds that life already existing takes precedence over the possibility of new life being conceived.

I conclude this apology with the prayer that God may continue to guide, guard and bless our pope as he captains the barque of Peter on the very stormy seas we sail on today.