Sir, – So now we have it. The ructions caused by Archbishop Michael Jackson's "Polyester Protestants" address is the fault of The Irish Times (Letters, October 25th). Keep digging, your Grace – the South Pole is only a shovelful away. – Yours, etc,
Very Revd TOM GORDON,
Dean of Leighlin,
Old Leighlin,
Co Carlow.
Sir, – Archbishop Michael Jackson’s letter (October 25th) demonstrates that he has not opted for the quiet life. Clearly from the feedback published in the Letters page in recent days, he has his work cut out.
At least some of his flock is not afraid to “wash their linen”, or polyester, in public! I wish him well. – Yours, etc,
VICTOR BOYHAN,
Grange Crescent,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – My maternal ancestors were Protestant Palatines who settled in Ireland centuries ago while escaping from religious persecution. For my own part I chose to be a member of the Church of Ireland more than 40 years ago and, although I now form part of the Irish diaspora, I am very much still a practising member of the Anglican Church.
Although in the past there were divisions in Irish society, including some very sad ones affecting members of my own family, for the most part attitudes have changed with the times. There are bound to be vestiges of ancient suspicions. How could there not be given the ecclesiatical history of these islands? We should not, however, be afraid to discuss these matter openly in our Diocesan Synods if we perceive that they are affecting the well-being of the church. Certainly unhelpful remarks about members of our hierarchy serve no positive purpose in our mission.
When attending a main Sunday service in a rural cathedral of the Church of Ireland last summer, there were seven of us plus the dean and the organist. I would say that polyester is the least of our problems. – Yours, etc,
MIKE LAWLOR,
Admiralty Way,
Teddington,
Middlesex,
England.
Sir, – Enough of this divisive debate. Let us acknowledge our differences, celebrate our similarities and move forward together.
As someone who worships in both Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, I do not see myself as a polyester Protestant or a woolly Anglican – but more as a cotton-rich Christian. – Yours, etc,
VENETIA HILL,
Mulgrave Terrace,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.