Madam, - Fr Iggy O'Donovan and Rev Michael Graham deserve our sincere thanks and commendations for their pioneering bravery. May I quote from Michael Hurley, another pioneer. "The movement promoting Christian unity is not just some sort of appendix which is added to the Church's traditional activity. Rather, ecumenism is an organic part of her life and work, and consequently must pervade all that she is and does; it must be like the fruit borne by a healthy and flourishing tree, which grows to its full stature." The Mass celebrated in Drogheda is one such fruit.
As a Catholic who regularly attends both Mass and Protestant worship every Sunday, I rejoice in the living experience of the essential unity of baptised Christians. When my weekly visit happens to be to a Church of Ireland where a communion service is being held, I have no difficulty in recognising the immense wealth of that Christian family's way of fulfilling the Lord's command: "Do this in memory of Me".
Let us move swiftly from the shameful night of fear and suspicion to the dawning day of mutual love and respect. I believe that the Lord's prayer on the night before He died that all His followers might be one will be fulfilled sooner than we think, but in a way which will surprise us all. - Yours, etc,
TERENCE DONAGHY, Belfast 15.