Letters

Cardiff clergy 'too hasty'
It is a [natter of real regret hat the senior priests of the irchdiocese of Cardiff have Jecided to disassociate .hemselves from the National Conference of Priests. The manner in which the announcement was made on the eve of the Birmingham meeting has all the hallmarks of a suspect consultative process and an illconsidered decision.
Prescinding entirely from the unremitting opposition to the NCP by some of the group over the years. from the surprising lack of courtesy the group showed in not informing the Standing Committee before their indecent haste to the telephone and Press, the absence of a prepared and reasoned statement which could be examined objectively is a serious omission.
I-he causes for the rejection of the NCP by nearly 50 per
cent of the diocesan clergy must be grave indeed. It is a pity that these are not set out clearly, for it must be presumed that the matter will be discussed within the diocese and NCP circles, Readers may be unaware of the deeper significance of the senior priests' decision. It creates a difficulty for those priests in the diocese who believe in the positive aspects of the NCP and who wish to continue their support for that body. Until now such support could be given freely, for as a result of much discussion in the diocese over the years it was the policy to associate with the NCP. The decision of the National Conference of Bishops to establish the NCP may not have received universal approval but the diocesan policy was to have full representation.
The implications of the senior priests' decision are serious. This group of priests number about 53, as against about 57 in the other three age groups in the diocese. This senior age group comprises the entire chapter of canons, the honorary canons, all the deans (except one) and about 75 per cent of the Senate of Priests.
That such a group of priests could reject agreed diocesan policy on a major issue such as the NCP — and that without reference to the accepted fora within the deanery and senate — .comes very close to the existence of an influential pressure-group. Their decision renders intolerable the position of the other three NCP group representatives in the diocese. There must be uncertainty about the future course of events, for clearly, a disruptive and divisive situation cannot be allowed to fester hut must be remedied, Whether this means a change of heart on the part of the senior priests or a new diocesan policy regarding the NCP remains to be seen. Meanwhile, nothing must be done which could cause further disunity or lead to confrontation.
Accordingly, my two fellow Cardiff representatives to the recent conference meeting in Birmingham have agreed with my decision to withdraw as a candidate in the election for chairman and from seeking reelection to the Standing Committee. Thus, in the interest of diocesan unity some of us will not be as active in conference matters to the extent we would wish until the problems caused by our senior priests are resolved within the diocese.
(Fr) Sean M. Kearney Former chairman NCP Standing Committee. Group III NCP representative. St Therese's Presbytery, Southdown Road, Port Talbot, Glamorgan.