Sir, - Rev Michael Manning (May 31st) says that "Christ remained unmarried and .. . asked his disciples to do likewise". Can Fr Manning give chapter and verse for such a command of Christ? It is not in my Bible. If celibacy is "in the very nature of priesthood", why is it that it was optional for hundreds of years after the time of Christ? Even Peter, whom Fr Manning would claim to have been the first Pope, was married (Matt. 8.14). - Yours, etc., Dr Leslie W. Lucas,
Rosapenna, Downings, Co Donegal.