EDITOR - It is reported (Irish Catholic, March 19th) that Bishop Alan McGuckian ‘thinks the door to female diaconate is shut and that his fellow Jesuit Pope Francis should have said so’.

We respectfully disagree.

Bishop Alan has spoken boldly. But has he listened to the ‘sense of faith’ of the overwhelming majority of Irish Catholics on this issue?

To the Final Report of the Study Group on Women in the Church which notes the discomfort of many women when ecclesial realities are compared with the civil societies of many of the countries in which they live, which sees the ‘question of women’, including that of access to the sacrament of Holy Orders, as a ‘sign of the times’.  To the voices of women who feel called to ordained ministry?

Bishop McGuckian’s main argument is from the ‘Catholic dispensation…the sacramental nature of things…the bridegroom and the bride’. But this argument is problematic. The rich biblical symbolism of bride and groom needs to be freshly understood, now accepted by Church teaching, which sees marriage as a reciprocal relationship between equals, and not one of hierarchical subordination.

Are not women, made in the image and likeness of God, capable of representing Jesus Christ as effectively as men?  Too often Bishops take refuge in a kind of inscrutable silence when it comes to controversial matters.

We have surely learned in the Church universally and in Ireland that silence is not a good strategy.

In this spirit the ball is surely in the court of the other Irish bishops. Will some feel called to voice their own honest thoughts and feelings?

And can the Irish Synodal Assembly, next October, issue a strong statement on the role of women, including a call for a reconsideration of the teaching on female ordination?

Association of Catholic Priests.

Time to reconsider the role of women in the Catholic Church.

Why faraway Field’s are always greener

EDITOR -  I have been visiting West Cork for many years and I often go to Field’s coffee shop. I am always struck by how friendly and cheerful the staff are compared to the staff in city cafes.

I often see the proprietor, John Field, in the cafe and the on the shop floor and he strikes me as a true gent. A big thumbs up to all the staff in Field’s and the other friendly proprietors of West Cork businesses.

Helen O’Flynn,

Ballyvolane, Cork.

Used responsibly AI can improve cancer care

EDITOR -  Last week, NCODA hosted an important global conversation about the future of cancer care.

As the inaugural Global Oncology & Haematology Congress convenes in Dublin, leaders from across Europe and North America are sharing practical strategies to improve outcomes for patients with cancer facing increasingly complex diagnoses.

One theme emerging clearly from these discussions is the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. AI can help clinicians analyse vast volumes of clinical data, identify patterns in treatment response, optimise therapy sequencing, and support earlier diagnosis. Used responsibly, these tools can enhance – not replace – clinical judgement, enabling healthcare teams to deliver more precise, personalised care.

In oncology, in particular, where treatment pathways are becoming increasingly complex and resources are under pressure, intelligent technologies can help clinicians make more informed decisions and improve efficiency across the care pathway.

However, realising this potential requires collaboration between clinicians, policymakers, researchers and technology developers. Investment in infrastructure, governance, and education will be critical to ensure that AI is implemented safely, ethically, and equitably.

If embraced thoughtfully, AI has the capacity to significantly improve cancer care and ultimately patient outcomes.

Michael Reff,

Founder and executive director, NCODA.

Dogs still paying the price for cheap bets

EDITOR -  With greyhound racing bans announced in Scotland and Wales this month, the race is on to make Ireland the next country to outlaw this dog-killing gambling activity.

At races here in the past 11 years, 4,040 greyhounds suffered painful injuries and 1,593 were killed. This includes 344 injuries and 197 deaths last year.

Thousands more greyhounds are killed behind the scenes. RTE’s award-winning documentary Greyhounds Running For Their Lives uncovered an industry-commissioned report which estimated that over a three-year period, 17,962 greyhounds were culled.

Racing is increasingly being rejected by the public, evident in falling attendances at tracks, with a massive 6,504 drop in entries in 2025.

Dogs have paid the price for far too long for cheap bets. The time has come for the Irish Government to stop the suffering and bring greyhound racing to an end.

Philip Kiernan,

Irish Council Against Blood Sports,

Mullingar.