Sir, - I wish to express my dismay and disappointment at the reaction of our religious leaders in the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland faiths to the hosting of the reception for Cardinal Connell last weekend.
I have never been a supporter of Fianna Fail, and never could be; but I greatly admire Bertie Ahern's refusal to treat Celia Larkin as an embarrassment, despite continual pressure from some quarters for him to do just that. Instead he insists on according her the respect he feels is due to his partner in life. Bertie's integrity in this matter suggests a strength of character all too frequently absent in Irish politicians.
As someone who chose to have my children baptised as members of the Church of Ireland in the belief that this religion (at least south of the Border) is more tolerant and less misogynistic than the Catholicism of my own upbringing, I am now faced with the realisation that I have been mistaken.
Is there no room for true Christian love and tolerance for others in the churches of this country? What was it Jesus said about casting stones? - Yours, etc.,
Sandra Duffy, Thorndale Avenue, Artane, Dublin 5.