Sir, - I was saddened on reading the inordinate publicity given to the views of the Rev Dr John Lockington, the moderator-designate of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, on formal worship with Roman Catholics ("New moderator will not engage in formal joint worship with Catholics", The Irish Times, February 4th).
His view is not my view as a Presbyterian; it never has been; it is unlikely to be my view. Moreover, I venture that my practice of worshipping freely, formally and jointly with my Roman Catholic friends and neighbours is the practice of many if not all the Presbyterians in this Republic on most occasions, with great spiritual blessing. That many in the Republic share my view and practice may be reflected in the fact that no presbytery in the Republic voted for Dr Lockington in the recent election of a moderator of the general assembly for 1999/ 2000.
If I may respectfully and gratuitously offer a suggestion, it would be that even more worshipping together of leaders and people, Catholic and Protestant, North especially and South, could contribute to the advance of the peace process. The example of the President of this Republic recently in Christ Church Cathedral (Church of Ireland) should not be too quickly lost sight of as a gesture of leadership - Yours, etc., Rev. Dr W. O'Neill,
The Manse, Howth, Co Dublin.