Madam, - I was genuinely surprised to see your columns give voice to the sectarian and aggressive comments of Father David O'Hanlon (March 7th). For Father O'Hanlon, "Catholicism is absolute"; in contrast to all non-RC forms of relationship with the transcendental or spiritual.
Is it really necessary to point out both the parochial and impoverished nature of such a view? Hardly, when Vatican II did this nearly 40 years ago! At a time when peace and tolerance are in short supply, a Roman Catholic priest publicly making such unecumenical and antagonistic comments is surely hardly helpful or sensible.
On a theological level, I would respectfully contend that Father O'Hanlon is at odds with his own church. The teachings of Vatican II are official dogma with infallible status. We all know how the council was a watershed in Catholicism's ecumenical outlook. Yet Father O'Hanlon seems to disagree with the council's teachings. Far from seeing Protestantism as a reactionary ideology with "a wholly external point of reference" the council document Unitates Redintegratio, paragraph 13, specifically states that "among these in which Catholic traditions and institutions in part continue to exist, the Anglican Communion occupies a special place".
Anybody who reads this document will see for themselves the strikingly pluralistic view taken by the council concerning the Catholic church's relationship with its fellow Christians. - Yours, etc.,
KEN FENNELLY, College Green, Maynooth, Co Kildare.