Sir, – Rev Chris Hayden’s rebuttal of the charges in the article by Paddy Agnew on the late Pope John Paul II (Letters, April 15th) does not stand up.
Pope John Paul was a fine Christian in many ways but his response to US-sponsored repression in Latin America was disgraceful. The papacy has access to world leaders and papal opinion can change things. The pope’s lack of action to stop killings and torture during the 1980s did not convey the message of Jesus. The Vatican, at the highest level, allowed the murder of priests and nuns and, as mentioned by Mr Agnew, Bishop Oscar Romero.
Furthermore, l iberation theology is not a Marxist doctrine but the message of Jesus put into action. In the words of Luke 6:20: “Blessed are you who are poor for yours is the kingdom of heaven.” Yours, etc,
DEREK M REID,
Lough Derg Road ,
Dublin 5
Sir, – Fr Chris Hayden is unfair to Paddy Agnew when he accuses him of substantially misrepresenting the late pope’s position on liberation theology. Though Fr Hayden quotes John Paul II as stating that liberation theology was timely, useful and necessary, this is not the clinching put-down it might seem. John Paul said a lot of lovely things about the Second Vatican Council but under his watch did everything he could to stymie its reforms. Ditto, liberation theology. Actions speak louder than words. Yours, etc,
FR BRENDAN HOBAN,
Ballina,
Co Mayo