Sir, - Rosemary Swords (Opinion, July 2nd) is entitled to her opinion on lay development in the church being more important than women's ordination. Her analysis and views, however, show a narrow, even na∩ve grasp - of the facts of the problem. That she, and all Catholic women, can only ever receive six of the seven sacraments, against a man's ability to receive all seven, and that eminent bishops - even a Jesuit priest from Milltown, where she studies - have spoken publicly of the inevitability of women's ordination, should persuade her to rely, like Gamaliel, Acts 5:39, on the Spirit, rather than dismiss the matter.
Her evasive policy would, in other times, have led to legal continuance of slavery and to women being still excluded from the vote. - Yours, etc.,
Pat Morgan, Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford.