Madam, - I believe that Father Stephen Cummins (July 3rd) is wasting his time in requesting respectful dialogue with Father David O'Hanlon (July 1st) on such sensitive issues as inter-church Communion. This is because the state of mind that is infallibility becomes a comfortable place to dwell when you feel that the only person (or deity) you need to answer to is yourself.
With even just recent history in mind, we should now realise that extreme religious faith can render people blind to any and all evidence against their polarised views. The only effective way of responding to it is not to respond at all. By ignoring it, the target for the force of infallibility is removed. Without a target, its force will fizzle out and perish in oblivion, its rightful resting place.
I hope my remarks are helpful to Father Cummins in answering his question about the source of Father O'Hanlon's fear. - Yours, etc.,
KEVIN KENNY, Castleknock Gate, Castleknock, Dublin 15.