Sir, - Coming so soon after the dismissal of Archbishop Ward of Cardiff for pastoral incompetence and losing the confidence of the priests of his diocese, the comments of Cardinal Connell raise further questions re the quality of the episcopacy on both sides of the Irish Sea.
The cardinal will probably retort that he was quoted out of context, but from what one can read on the web edition of The Irish Times, he comes over as a whining, spoilt child. Spoilt, because if it hadn't been for the present Pope's tendency to select safe, pastorally inexperienced bushops for major dioceses, he would still be in UCD teaching philosphy. He who flies on borrowed wings should be careful whom he criticises. - Yours, etc.,
Brendan Kelleher, Nagoya, Japan.