Sir, – One of the more troubling aspects of the comments of Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson, in his address to the diocesan synod last week regarding sectarianism, was his tacit redefinition of the term sectarian to mean anyone who isn’t “all-tolerant, all-liberal, all-inclusive”. Surely one can be tolerant, inclusive and conservative, without being sectarian? If not, then a large portion of the Anglican Communion, according to the new Dublin definition at least, are sectarians. I’ll happily remain “sectarian” then so! – Yours, etc,
ADAM HOBSON,
Upper Rathmines Road,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – For the length of my 44 years in the active ministry of the Church of Ireland it was always impressed upon me that one should never say or do anything in criticism of one’s successor, certainly not publicly and preferably not at all.
It therefore disappoints me that not one, but two, former archbishops have seen fit to come out in such strong terms in their reaction to the words of Archbishop Jackson at the Dublin and Glendalough Diocesan Synod.
I do not know what it was that led Archbishop Jackson to say what he did, but I am certain that it was borne out of his experience in this diocese. He is a wise and perceptive man, and I can only assume that his words were not lightly said. – Yours, etc,
(Revd) CECIL MILLS,
Queens Park,
Monkstown, Co Dublin.