Catholic role for Anglicans

Madam, – As a member of the Church of Ireland (Anglican tradition), I find the triumphalism of Paul Kokoski’s letter (January…

Madam, – As a member of the Church of Ireland (Anglican tradition), I find the triumphalism of Paul Kokoski’s letter (January 18th)distasteful, but I respect his right to express his opinion. However, when he brags about the “pristine beauty” of the church I am bound to ask if this is the same church which prevented its bishops from exposing paedophile priests? – Yours, etc,

BRIAN ROSS,

Windgates, Bray,

Co Wicklow.

Madam, – How thoughtful of Paul Kokoski (January 18th) to invite us errant Anglicans back to the “fullness of truth that resides, with all its pristine beauty and splendour, inside the Catholic Church”. I have a lot of respect for friends residing within that tradition but would seriously question the concept of “fullness of truth” or ‘pristine beauty’ in the Roman Catholic Church or indeed any denomination including my own.

These words have no place in the description of our vehicles of faith but belong only to our saviour Jesus Christ who will never be stripped of His “radical uniqueness” as Mr Kokoski suggests.

In typical but misguided theology it is suggested that the “barque of Peter” is the “only safe haven in these troubling times”. I suggest that the only safe haven is the cross of Jesus and I for one, as a child of the reformation, am content with that assurance. – Yours, etc,

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GEOFF SCARGILL,

Loreto Grange,

Bray, Co Wicklow.

Madam, – Regarding Paul Kokoski’s letter (“Anglicans convert to Catholicism”, January 18th), let me point out that Christians, eg Anglicans or members of the Church of Ireland, cannot “convert” to Catholicism – they enter into Communion.

This misnomer is frequently – and thoughtlessly – repeated in the media; correspondents should know better and try to bear in mind the offence this needlessly causes to non-Catholic Christians, my beloved mother included. – Yours, etc,

Dr PATRICK O’BRIEN,

Alvechurch,

Birmingham,

England.