Sir, - I read Mr Nigel Bannister's dissertation (December 13th) with great amusement, since he fails to understand the basic concept on which my original letter (December 1st) was based.
The question was not, as he suggests, whether the one God we all believe in recognises either of the churches (Roman Catholic or Reformed Church) as the one true and holy church. If Mr Bannister took more care in reading my letter he would have read: "How can broadening the cathedral's ministery incorporate a Church that does not fully recognise any Reformed service". There is a fundamental difference between these two statements. Since Mr Bannister may require proof of my original statement he need only be reminded of the recent controversy regarding the Roman Catholic Church's statements on Roman Catholics partaking in the Lord's supper as practised in Reformed services and also to members from Reformed Churches who may or may not be partners in mixed marriages receiving communion at the Roman Catholic Mass. I also recall the word sham being used with respect to our form of service.
Until the Roman Catholic Church removes its prejudices and changes its offensive view on the Lord's supper as practised in Reformed Churches, where all are welcome, it would be nonsense for the cathedral's expanding ministry (which I welcome) to include the Roman Catholic Mass at this time. I, along with many, would welcome the day when the Roman Catholic Church made the necessary changes to its doctrine that would enable it to share the Lord's supper, on equal terms, along with the rest of the Christian church.
In the final part of Mr Bannister's letter, he asks "would I demand He (Jesus Christ) worship or celebrate the Eucharist only in a Protestant Church". This question not only shows the lack of maturity of Mr Bannister's reply, it is extremely offensive to me personally and the church in general, and therefore not worth a response.
Finally the Dean, during his brief term in office, has made some welcoming statements but I still have the belief (as outlined in my original letter) that St Patrick's Cathedral should not be made available (for the Roman Catholic Mass) and the Dean was way out of order in this matter. - Yours, etc.,
D. Simpson, Clontarf, Dublin 3.