Sir, - Dr O Flynn's lengthy arguments (January 8th) seem to be founded on the history of religious persecution. Why choose an example from the penal days to define what Communion should mean for modern Irish Catholics? Why not look further back for its original meaning? "Where two or more are gathered together in my name" was how Christ put it. Unless the Catholic church is insecure about the distinction between its sacraments and those of other Christian churches, it should be able to explain the difference in theological terms rather than in terms of sectarian history. Dr O'Flynn's evocation of "sensus fidelium" smacks of the old cry: "If you're not with us you're agin' us!". His reasoning would make Protestants of us all (de facto). I would sooner interpret the silence of the Catholic Hierarchy as embarrassment at the mean-spirited, sectarian nature of Archbishop Connell's comments than as a "false diplomacy". As a Catholic, I can only say that Dr O' Flynn's comments have added to my own embarrassment and disillusionment. - Yours, etc.,
From John Hurley
Stillorgan, Co Dublin.