Sir, - I am pleased to see that there is at last condemnation of the Pope's homophobic attitudes in your letter columns (Mary Ryan, July 18th), as it seemed strange his comment that "homosexual acts are against the laws of nature" did not arouse a great deal of indignation from your readers. Might someone now comment on the refusal of the Roman Catholic Church to help to distribute condoms in Africa, where it seems more interested in getting new souls than saving lives?
Hardly a day passes without some (usually negative) comments on those on our island whom we find it easy to disapprove of, namely the Orange Order. They are an easy target at present, of course, even for their own tribe (see the recent letter from the Catalyst group), because they foolishly associated with loyalist hooligans over Drumcree.
In all of this, however, let us not overlook the Protestant tradition of libertarianism and entrepreneurial individualism that made possible the Industrial Revolution, the Enlightenment and human rights for minorities such as the gay community and men and women who wish to use contraceptives. - Yours, etc.
John Rochfort, Grantstown Close, Earls Court, Waterford.