Sir, – The University of Dublin may very well be right to remove the Bible from its crest and replace it with an “open book”. The step is no doubt intended to be more “inclusive”. But the college’s description of the removal of the Bible as a “forward-facing” step is not without its own semiotics. Would it not then be equally appropriate to leave behind the uniquely Christian appellation “Trinity” in the same “backward” periods of the university’s history as the Bible? Yours, etc,
FERGUS A RYAN,
Station Road,
Portmarnock,
Co Dublin
Sir, – I see that Trinity College has opted to blow “religious symbolism out of the college’s ancient crest” (March 29th). Whether this is motivated by an ecumenical heart or plummeting rankings is open to question. I do note that repenting of religious symbolism hasn’t extended to the ancient and, from a marketing perspective, more significant name. To avoid their rattling around for eternity in hollowed-out hypocrisy might I suggest TCD employ the following answer to the obvious question: “Why, pounds, shillings and pence!” Your, etc,
IAN HICKEY,
Lauderdale Terrace,
Bray,
Co Wicklow