Madam, - Why does Rev David O'Hanlon (June 30th) call on such a manifestation of human frailty to illustrate doctrinal teaching? Surely, in reality, the gentle Jesus would expect us to feed the stranger who came to the door? Surely, He, Himself, would have given food to the stranger and helped him to overcome his delusion? The multiplication of loaves and fishes comes to mind, the constant healing of the sick and the calming of the troubled minds of the possessed. Even though He knew that Judas Iscariot had betrayed Him. He allowed Him to share the Last Supper - "and when He had dipped bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot" (St John, Chap XIII, 26).
I would not presume to comment on our Church's teaching on the issue of inter-Church communion but a story so hateful is Father O'Hanlon's (and I use the word deliberately) is an excellent example of a door slammed against hands proffered in friendship. Those of us who still try to believe, in spite of such arrogant pronouncements, do so based on the quiet teachings of more loving pastors and the words of Jesus "I am the Truth, the Way and the Life". - Yours, etc.,
CAITRIONA OXX, Currabeg, Kildare, Co Kildare.