TOM FINNIGAN,
Sir, - If it were not for his appearance on the Late Late Show some time ago, many of us would be convinced that the Rev David O'Hanlon is a fictional comic creation.His outpourings - and, in particular, the lofty disdain in which he seems to hold all those who sing from a different hymn sheet - are often amusing.
However, I can't help feeling sorry for him when he is driven to the deeply unChristian claim that "Anglicanism is currently in ideological meltdown and thus incapable of sincere, constructive or truly representative doctrinal dialogue with a Church it seems at once to envy and despise" (January 31st). He seems, for some reason, incapable of reaching out to others.
There is great debate in the Anglican Communion just as there is in the Roman Catholic church. The difference is that such debate is not suppressed.
Perhaps this is one reason why many Roman Catholics now opt to worship in the Church of Ireland. Envy is a grave and insulting accusation. What are Anglicans supposed to envy in the Roman Catholic church? Zero tolerance of dissent? Perhaps Father O'Hanlon will explain. Anglicans don't want to throw in their lot with Rome, just as we don't want to convert to Judaism or Islam. But we certainly don't despise these faiths.
I wonder what the founder of Christianity would think of all this. - Yours, etc.,
T.C.F. DOORLEY, Rushbrooke, Cobh, Co Cork.
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Sir, - What a refreshing, if stark, appraisal of ecumenism in Ireland by Rev David O'Hanlon.
I have the privilege of living between a Church of Ireland church, a Presbyterian meeting house and a Roman Catholic chapel. Being a recent Catholic "blow-in" from Manchester I expected some sort of ecumenical gathering during the week of prayer for Christian unity. Not a sign. The three traditions appear to worship independently.
Happily we live in perfect amity. Like the wind in Inishowen, the Spirit blows where he wills. Wisely he leaves the churches alone. - Yours, etc.,
TOM FINNIGAN, Goorey Rocks, Malin, Co Donegal.
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Sir, - As Rev David O'Hanlon is obviously in analytical mood (January 31st), can he please tell us why he considers that fundamentalist Protestantism has still to overcome its inveterate anti-Rome bigotry, while he considers that orthodox Catholics still hold to the dogmas of the councils, which are absolutely non negotiable. Would the reverend gentleman allow it to be said - at least for the sake of argument - that orthodox Protestants hold to the dogmas of their Bible, which are absolutely non-negotiable, while fundamentalist Catholicism has still to overcome its inveterate anti-Protestant bigotry? - Yours, etc.,
COLIN MAXWELL, Briarscourt, Shanakiel, Cork.
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Sir, - I know David O'Hanlon is a Catholic, but is he a Christian? - Yours, etc.,
MAIRE KELLY, Leinster Villas, Glenageary, Co Dublin.