St Patrick And Ireland

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31983, 9 May 1969, Page 10

St Patrick And Ireland

Sir,—Of course the early churches were separate foundations. The whole world was a mission territory. The Apostles established a church in one place, and moved on to some place else, leaving their disciples in charge. Com-

munications were difficult, and fast means of transport non-existet)t. In fact, St Paul did a tour of the Christian churches in the east, instructing congregations who had strayed from the original Christian concept. The same conditions applied in Ireland. Rome was a long distance away, across a Europe ravaged by barbarian tribes. Because the church could not keep In touch—l am sure that they still established contacts —does not mean that they did not acknowledge the primacy of Peter and his successors. Only when Christians became numerically strong did they become highly organised. Even so, in the early days of the church the popes of the period had to be called in to settle differences. Yours, etc,. J. F. MADIGAN. May 7,1969. Sir,—lt was St Patrick’s conversion of the pagan king (Dehi) (descendant of Fairiha, brother of Nhaill of the nine hostages) which ensured his success in Ireland. King Debi travelled with Patrick, thus giving him a safe passage throughout the length and breadth of the country. The descendants of Dehi— Doody, Dowd, Dowda, Dooley, Duddey and O’Dowd—would be Indeed surprised to discover that their ancestors and St Patrick himself were anything but Roman Catholics.— Yours, etc., ONE OF THEM. May 8, 1969.

Sir,—Your recent correspondents would have us believe St Patrick to be the first Protestant. One would not expect to find in New Zealand an element which would transplant, in this fair land, an Ulster of vicious nar-row-mindedness. The sources of information of your correspondents are not a little suspect. Whoever regarded Winston Churchill, for all his talent, as an inspired Christian writer? And who does not now know the original builders and owners of the oldest churches in Britain and Ireland? No, St Patrick was not a Protestant, because he was sent too early 11 centuries, in fact—and to attempt to prove the impossible is sheer waste of time and space.—Yours, etc., NEW ZEALANDER BY ADOPTION.

May 7, 1969. [This correspondence is now closed.—Ed., “The Press.’’]