Madam, - Like Fr Victor Fitzpatrick (August 2nd) I have worked and prayed hard at promoting inter-church co-operation, dialogue and friendship. Christian unity involves Christians witnessing together even though they may disagree on many fundamental beliefs or serious moral issues.
I have been doing so for the past 67 years, ever since I became a Catholic a month before my 17th birthday. Indeed, I am still a member of one Anglican ecumenical organisation. However, Fr Fitzpatrick does not speak for me. Although I joined the Catholic Church 20 years before the Second Vatican Council, I have always been an enthusiastic supporter of the council's principles and decisions. Sadly, many who claim to be guided by the council are often intolerant of those with whom they disagree.
At Vatican II the Catholic Church reminded the faithful that the fullness of Christian truth subsists within the Catholic Church. At the same time, the Church has repeatedly acknowledged the Christian truths and holiness that exist in other denominations. It is fair to say that each denomination, to some extent, believes of itself much the same as the Catholic Church does of herself. That is why most Anglicans are Anglicans, Methodists are Methodists, etc. The Church acknowledges that there is but one common baptism that all Christians share.
In granting greater freedom for the celebration of the Latin liturgy, Rome is not seeking to replace the vernacular Mass. Vatican II did not "bin" the Latin Mass, as Fr Fitzpatrick states. Some people (I am not one of them) prefer the Latin Mass. If we are truly tolerant in the spirit of Vatican II we should acknowledge their right to worship as they would prefer and try to accommodate them.
How can we say we welcome cultural diversity when we would deny lawful diversity to our fellow Catholics? - Yours, etc,
FRANCIS BAILEY, Killiney, Co Dublin.