Madam, - Once again Vincent Browne seizes the opportunity of sharing his unbelief, this time via his critique of Mel Gibson's film (Opinion, March 24th).
The medium of film, of course, lends itself to describing the wounds, as opposed to the work of Christ in bearing sin. The latter, being invisible, has to be accepted by faith. The former requires an ability to read the text and here Browne falls short in his inability to find a reference to the nails used in Christ's crucifixion.
However, he is in good company as Thomas had a similar problem of unbelief (John 20:27) which was solved by the risen Christ displaying the wounds in his hands and converting his unbelief to faith. May we yet hope for a like experience for Mr Browne? - Yours, etc.,
GEORGE MORRISON, Hartwell, Kill, Co Kildare.
Madam, - Perhaps Vincent Browne might tell us what point he is trying to make in his denunciation of Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ. What began as a criticism of the unscriptural nature of the film was followed by a treatise on the unreliability of the scriptures. In between was a pedantic ramble about what is actually in the scriptures, as vague pointers to whether Christ was flogged, whether nails were used, etc.
Perhaps the article is about Vincent Browne himself, his clear disdain for Christian belief and influence and his abhorrence of piety and craw-thumpers. The Mel Gibson film was a handy vehicle. - Is mise,
JOE FULHAM, Crestwood Avenue, Ashbourne, Co Meath.
A chara, - One thing is certain - the powers of evil don't want people to see The Passion of the Christ and will use their friends everywhere to put them off seeing it. - Is mise,
Fr TOM INGOLDSBY, SDB, Portlaoise, Co Laois.