Your Majesty:
An American of Irish descent, I welcome your visit to Ireland. It is the first Royal visit to Ireland since Ireland gained its independence in 1921. For nearly 60 years you have reigned with restraint, dignity, and kindness. You are the head of state of a great country.
Recommended by Forbes
IBMVoice: How Digital-Era Sports Franchises Pump Up The Fan Experience
MOST POPULAR Photos: The Richest Person In Every State
SAPVoice: The Real Revolution In Performance Management
TRENDING ON LINKEDIN 9 Things That Make Good Employees Quit
MOST POPULAR Photos: 15 Best Income And Growth Stocks For 2016
MOST POPULAR 10 Questions You Should Ask In A Job Interview
We live in a time of reconciliation. Ireland is reconciling with Great Britain. Indeed, your own church, the Church of England, is undergoing a reconciliation of sorts with the Roman Catholic Church.
The Irish people’s devotion to Catholicism was largely a reaction to English control of Ireland. Decades since Ireland won its independence, Catholicism is waning in Ireland.
I have two requests. First, please encourage the continued devolution of Northern Ireland and its eventual re-assimilation into Ireland. The northeastern six counties were carved-out and retained in the United Kingdom at the behest of Edward Carson, et al.— bigoted, evil men. From partition the six counties’ substantial Catholic minority has endured relentless, bitter oppression. They reacted by the prosecuting an insurgency against government authorities.
Northeastern Protestants have nothing to fear from reunification with the 26 counties. Religious minorities do not suffer in the Republic of Ireland. They prosper.
Second, please urge removal of the last remaining legal disabilities of Catholics in the United Kingdom. These include the disability of a man once ordained a Catholic priest from ever holding a seat in Parliament, and the disability of a Catholic from royal office. Whatever may have motivated the establishment of these disabilities in the first place, they are an embarrassment to Great Britain today.
Best wishes, Your Majesty. Enjoy your trip to Ireland.
Stephen J. Dunn
Troy, Michigan, USA
