For Whom the Bell Tolls?

Under the headline “It is time we found out for whom the RTE Angelus bell tolls”, Bruce Arnold (Sunday Independent 4th Feb) has serious points to make regarding the potential clash between religion and medical ethics, and concerns about the influence of the catholic church on our politicians, but uses the Angelus on RTE to first alienate a sizeable portion of his readership.

The Angelus oppresses no-one, even if it seems to offend Mr Arnold. There is a world of difference between being offended and being oppressed.

The Angelus represents part of the tradition and culture of a sizeable majority of the native population of the Republic to which RTE broadcasts.

The political correctness which seeks to dictate that the majority should abandon non-oppressive traditions in order to show respect to minorities is surely a flawed approach. If the majority show such scant regard for its own traditions, what does that say for its likely respect for minority traditions in future years?

Footnote: Published as a letter in the Sunday Independent.