Maybe it's time to examine the examiners

Yesterday's edition of the Frankfurter Allgemine Zeitung carried an article on the pope's letter to the Irish church.

It is not the easiest piece of German to read. It gives the impression of two worlds colliding. It is strong, it is emphatic and it asks pertinent questions.

Is there a link between celibacy and what has/is happening? Is it possible for large numbers of men to come together, join up to an organistion where they all have one thing in common, which is that they make a public declaration to be celibate? Can that 'work'?

Anyone who has been to the Vatican for large events must observe the 'unusual tone' of so many young clerics. Their dress seems to be so out of sync with the majority of men their age. It would seem there is something significant amiss and it needs real, open and honest discussion.

If the Vatican is to conduct an examination of seminaries in Ireland, who will they send to do the job? Should it not be an outside agency?