Sir, - Like many others, I was delighted to read Dr Willie Walsh's apology to members of other Christian denominations. I was very unhappy with Dr Cyril Daly's letter on the subject. When I was growing up in Co Tyrone in the 1920s and 1930s, we were told that it was "mortal sin" to take part in a "Protestant service" (apologies to my Anglican friends). The most important part of a funeral, the Church service, was included.
Many a time my father stood outside one of the local churches waiting to join a funeral procession on the last stages of the journey. Perhaps he could have gone into the church, but we understood that the Bishop's permission was required to do this, and Derry was 14 miles away. I also sympathise with Ms Clery's objection to the term "non Catholic". Would "fellow Christian" be more acceptable, I wonder? I cringe when I hear anyone speak of our separated brethren" and I certainly know very few "protestants".
Yours, etc.,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.