SUNDAY 28 October was a scandalous day for the Catholic Church . . . 498 Spanish people, who were supporters of General Franco, were declared as blessed with the approval of the Pope. He claimed that as martyrs, they had paid with their lives for their faithfulness to Christ and his Church. Calling these followers of a fascist general, who violently overthrew a democratically elected government, demeans Christian martyrdom.

There were good Christian people tortured and murdered by fascist forces, but the Vatican chose to suppress their memory. Equally, one of the great Catholic martyrs of the 20th century, Archbishop Oscar Romero, continues to be ignored, as he stood for the rights of the marginalised against another fascist force.

The Vatican has shown itself yet again more of a political animal than a proclaimer of the gospel.

Brendan Butler, Malahide, Co Dublin.

Design of U2 Tower was the winning one
From Stephen O'Shea
I AM struck by Gerard Dockery's letter in last Sunday's issue. While I agree with Mr Dockery that 'original' design is and always should be welcome in our city, the real issue now at hand is the sudden replacement of the international competitionwinning design (the so-called 'Twisting Tower') with an alternative design that seemingly has neither popular support nor critical acclaim.

That the hard pressed taxpayer will yet again foot the bill for a mishandled process is cause for grave concern.

Furthermore, in my opinion, the lack of proper oversight or any public scrutiny of the Docklands Authority in its dealing with this issue is nothing short of scandalous.

Stephen O'Shea, Annesley Bridge Road, Fairview, Dublin 3.

Irish rugby team brought disgrace
From Jimmy Doherty

IN HIS column last week, Neil Francis praises Jack White for picking six white players for the South African rugby team and not having to carry black players who were not up to the grade.

How would he know what grade they are if they are not allowed to play? Would he rather go back to the time of the evil of apartheid when no black players were even considered, to a time when Irish rugby teams broke the sporting ban and toured in South Africa? It took the girls in Dunnes' Stores who went on strike to show them how to behave.

I did not read any complaint from Neil Francis on the disgraceful treatment of President McAleese by the England rugby team when they refused to budge while the gutless Irish team stood cowed and silent; no surprise there, as people of that calibre have been doing that for centuries . . . no wonder they lost.

I did not read any complaint from Francis on the recent socalled Irish rugby team who brought disgrace on themselves and their country by their insulting treatment of the Irish tricolour and the national anthem.

As to the hoisting of Thabo Mbeki by the South African team, if by some miracle the Irish team had won the World Cup, who would they have hoisted, Gordon Brown?

Jimmy Doherty, 10 Concha Avenue, Carndonagh, Co Donegal.

Drinking problems need hard tackling From Gerry Hickey AS YET another report on alcohol consumption shows us sliding towards horrendous societal and health problems there are serious questions to be asked of those in highly paid positions who are refusing to take the necessary steps to tackle this problem.

Until now much of the lobbying, begging and cajoling to do something about this has been done by financially starved voluntary organisations and concerned individuals.

There has been enough talk, there are enough reports and it is now time for drastic action. Curbs on advertising and curbs on availability can be implemented with the stroke of a pen subject to political will-power.

Why are these measures still only being flirted with?

It appears that many lowvolume drinkers, while aware of the issues, remain silent for fear they may be leaving themselves vulnerable to be questioned on their own personal consumption. It is time for these drinkers to take that risk. It is estimated that in excess of 25% of drinkers fall into the "problem drinking" category in varying degrees.

Problem drinkers attach great importance to their drug and they will go to any lengths to get it irrespective of price and availability.

By not challenging their habits and behaviour, lowvolume drinkers are effectively enabling it to continue.

There is a conspicuous absence of detail as to what constitutes problem drinking and the widespread awareness of a statement such as the following would be very helpful. "Problem drinking is a pattern of drinking in which a person has lost control over their drinking so that it is interfering with some vital area of their life such as family, friends, job, school, health or other such area important for them."

Drunk drivers, alcohol fuelled attendances at A&E wards and public order offences presenting at garda stations provide ideal scenarios for structured opportunistic interventions based on this definition.

These interventions will always raise the question of a problem to the fore for the abuser and those close to them and hence will be a success in themselves regardless of the outcome.

We need the committed, pro-active help of the 75% or so low-volume drinkers to force the implementation of measures to halt this slide.

Gerry Hickey, Counsellor/Psychotherapist, 44 Adelaide Road, Dublin 4.

Authenticity of Padre Pio's stigmata From Richard Ryan Richard Ryan, Pallasgreen, Co Limerick.

REGARDING the authenticity of Padre Pio's stigmata which is presently the subject of much debate, anatomists have always considered the wrists as part of the hands.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association 1986: the nails used in Jesus's crucifixion must have been driven between the small bones of the wrists, to prevent stripping out which would have occurred if they had been driven through the palms (as depicted in Christian art).

This would be consistent with the Bible's own use of the word hand to include the wrist.

In such texts as Genesis Chapter 24 Verse 47 where bracelets are said to be worn on the hands, and Judges Chapter 15 Verse 14, where reference is made to the fetters that were on Samson's hands.

Misrepresented in the Dail
From Finian McGrath TD

I HAVE absolutely no problem with journalists criticising TDs in the Dail. However, I do have a problem with journalists like Kevin Rafter (28 October) misrepresenting my position on different issues. Mr Rafter should know that I was signalling to just one of his colleagues about a question on Cuba. It was directed at him and not the gallery. It is a pity Mr Rafter failed to mention my Dail speech that week on US policy and the fact that 3,478 Cubans were killed and 2,099 maimed at the hands of US based terrorist groups. He also fails to mention my progressive policy of developing dialogue with the Cuban people.

Mr Rafter misrepresents my position of the Agreement with the Taoiseach on health, disabilities and developing community services in Dublin North Central. He refers to my "secret deal". So far I have made many announcements in the Dail on the Agreement and have given the details. I am also regularly informing my constituents on these issues.

This information has gone to 17,000 houses in recent weeks.

Last Sunday, while Mr Rafter was attacking me, I was in Clontarf at 3pm speaking to residents about the Agreement. This was an open public meeting.

In future, Mr Rafter should get his facts right and tell Sunday Tribune readers the truth. I would like to see less spin and a more proper debate on politics. I will also remain accountable to your readers and the citizens of this country.

Finian McGrath TD, Independent, Dublin North Central, Dail Eireann, Dublin 2.