Sir, - The juxtaposition of the letters from Fr Sean Fagan and Fr Tom Ingoldsby (January 2nd) illustrated not only the acceptable diversity of opinion in the Church, but also, and sadly, differences of belief and teaching in such basic concepts of freedom of conscience.
Fr Fagan's lament that many of the clergy "have not read a book since their ordination" is abundantly supported by the paucity of sound teaching from the pulpit on topics such as conscience, eucharistic theology and its liturgical practice.
Fr Ingoldsby is representative of those of the clergy who continue to inflict on the laity their own perception of the Church's teaching on the exercise of conscience - namely, unquestioning conformity and unthinking obedience.
His and others' frequent and pejorative use of the terms "liberal theologians" and "a la carte Catholics" does an injustice to theologians and laity alike who are prepared "to open their eyes, minds, and hearts to new realities".
I would suggest that our President has a sound understanding of both Eucharistic theology and the meaning of conscience.
Should the Catholic Church adopt a less rigid adherence to the narrow and limiting concepts of real presence and sacrifice, around which the Council of Trent built such impregnable ramparts in the Middle Ages, and assume a less triumphalist stance in its examination of Protestant beliefs and practices, it may be able to bring about more readily a mutual accommodation in the understanding and sharing of liturgical practice. - Yours, etc.,
Kinlough, Co Leitrim.