Sir, - Is there anbody who can tell us authoritatively why Rupert Murdoch received a Papal honour? I have examined the record of his "accomplishments" for an answer, but to no avail. It is said that he gave lots of money to "approved charities". Eamon Delaney (January 28th) informs us that dissidents in Communist countries were kept informed by Murdoch's Sky News and that hiscrushing of the print unions made for better newspapers.But, as Fintan O'Toole reminded us (Opinion, January 16th) this is the same man whose own newspapers cater to the lowest common denominator by feeding the public a steady diet of prurience, sensationalism and tat. And even Mr Delaney had to admit that Murdoch's methods are `ruthless' and his media empire "coarse". It is also, as they both remind us, extremely successful. Indeed it is. We have all watched in horrified fascination as the Murdoch machine gobbled up competitor after competitor.Some people wonder if the honour is all about money (Gabrielle Whitty, January 26th). If this is so, it is all the more difficult to answer no to Bishop Murray's recent question: Do we really want a country/world where the only good is profit? I personally believe it is not about money, but about power and politics. Isn't Murdoch a powerful voice for the political right wing?None of us knows the answer. But many would like to understand the seemingly inappropriate and incomprehensible action of awarding the title of Knight Commander of St Gregory to Rupert Murdoch. - Yours, etc.,Harriet Sheehy,The Green Road,Dalkey, Co Dublin.