Sir, – Rev Tony Byrne writes that "like the paddling legs of swans, the church is a proactive organisation in society" ("A compassionate church can never be doomed", Rite & Reason, May 24th).
It is worth noting that the Australian black swan has been known to only swim with one leg, the other being tucked above its tail. This helps to change direction more smoothly while swimming. Perhaps the Catholic Church could also adopt such a technique in order to adapt more quickly to society and more modern attitudes. Otherwise, to compare the two is a disservice to the bird.
Perhaps a more fitting ornithological comparison would be an ostrich. – Yours, etc,
HANNAH GUMBRIELLE,
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Clontarf,
Dublin 3.