Sir, - Is it possible that Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor's recent remarks about the decline of Christian values in the UK were intended to mask the remarkable advance made by Catholics in positions of power? From a situation of near exclusion from influence in Britain, Catholics are now to be found in many significant roles.
The (albeit still Anglican) prime minister is a regular Mass attender with his Catholic wife and children. The leaders of the two main opposition parties, Charles Kennedy, Liberal Democrat, and Iain Duncan Smith, Conservative, are both cradle Catholics, as are the secretaries of state for Scotland (Helen Liddell), Wales (Paul Murphy) and Northern Ireland (John Reid). The Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, is the first Catholic to hold that post since the Reformation.
There are numerous Catholics among the minor royals and one of the next King William's grannies is a Catholic. As Ian Paisley celebrates the 50th anniversary of his anti-Rome mission, he must be wondering if he has taken his eye off the other side of the Irish Sea. - Yours, etc.,
Kevin O'Sullivan, Ballyraine Park, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.