The President's Mantilla

Sir, - Mr Rory O'Hanlon seems to be obsessed with the headgear worn or not worn by President McAleese or by President Robinson…

Sir, - Mr Rory O'Hanlon seems to be obsessed with the headgear worn or not worn by President McAleese or by President Robinson when they visited the Pope.

If he believes so strongly in this, why does he not devote his energies to convincing the Vatican to change its policy by which women are no longer obliged to cover their heads in church. As Catholics, we believe in the Real Presence and if headgear is not a requirement before the Lord, surely it is not necessary before the Pope. After all, he is only a mere mortal! - Yours, etc., Brendan M. Redmond,

Hazelbrook Road, Terenure, Dublin 6W.