Madam, - Paddy Agnew's reports in your edition of September 24th that the Vatican may be considering banning altar girls, clapping and dancing at masses.
Why be so tentative? As well as getting rid of altar girls the troublesome laity should also go. Then the male, celibate clerics could celebrate Mass in perfect peace with their backs to an empty church.
The laity would receive a dispensation by signing a direct debit for a suitable amount to pay church dues. All refusing to sign would automatically excommunicate themselves. - Yours, etc.,
COLM HOLMES, Avoca Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.