Sir, - Vincent Browne describes how a cardinal in Rome moved through a crowd shaking hands and patting heads (Opinion, June 19th). This behaviour by a prince of the Church is criticised as the "supreme arrogance" of Catholic Churchmen". I should describe it as affability.
The crowds were assembled for the canonisation of Padre Pio. In very unpleasant terms Vincent Browne gives us his views of the canonisation of this holy man, asserting that it celebrated the "magical" and "freakish". So much for saintliness.
One wonders why Vincent Browne chose to be in Rome at that time. - Yours, etc.,
M.M. IRELAND, Priory Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.