Sir, - I am delighted that Archbishop Connell has been appointed a cardinal. The honour is well deserved for his courageous leadership over many difficult years for the Irish Church. It's sad to see the negative reaction to this appointment, particularly from other church leaders, based on his defence of Dominus Iesus.
Ecumenism must be based on truth. We do not need it at all if all the churches are the same. What some seem to require is a watering down of differences so that we can say all are the same. I understand ecumenism as respecting the differences between the different churches and working to bring about understanding and, some day, union.
Father Oliver Rafferty's comments (The Irish Times, January 23rd) show once again that the most trenchant criticism of the Church is from within. What was extraordinary in not having two Cardinals in Armagh - isn't Cardinal Daly well and active still, thank God? I'm surprised at his political comments; is he suggesting that appointments by the Pope should be based on politics and not on the guidance of the Holy Spirit? - Yours, etc.,
Mrs Mary Stewart, Ardeskin, Donegal Town.