Sir, - In response to Joe Foyle (August 28th), I decline inclusion in his all-embracing "us lay Catholics", as he dismisses the scholarship of moral theologians out of hand. For me, moral theologians who have suffered and continue to suffer at the hands of the anonymous and unjust procedures of the Congregation for Doctrine and Faith, and yet remain true to conscience and part of Church, are to me among the most courageous witnesses to the gospel.
While Mr Foyle states the obvious fact that there is but one Pope, I would remind him that the message of Jesus at the washing of the feet states very clearly how a leader should relate to the people. The revealed word of God is gospel, not that of the Pope. -- Yours etc.,
Angela Hanley, Beech Park, Athlone, Co Westmeath.