Madam, - I read with interest Archbishop Brady's spirited defense of the latest non-collaborative Vatican document (Opinion, August 9th).
He says he shares "the hope of the Holy See that this document will be a 'starting point' in a 'dialogue with all men and women of good will, in a sincere search for the truth and in a common commitment to the development of ever more authentic relationships'."
Admirable words indeed, if one could accept them at face value. This is difficult, however, since Archbishop Brady, as leader of the Irish Bishops' Conference, has presided over the unjust censure of Father Seán Fagan, SM. Father Fagan could surely be described as one of the church's most admirable "men of goodwill" whose whole professional life as a theologian, author and teacher has been focused on a "sincere search for the truth" and a "common commitment to the development of ever more authentic relationships".
God's people are no longer fooled by the clanging cymbals of rhetoric. - Yours, etc.
ANGELA HANLEY, Beech Park, Athlone, Co Westmeath.