Sir, - As a Catholic, I find it shocking that David Woods (Letters, April 15th) describes Donald Trump’s comments about the pope as “characteristically frank”. While US presidents have hard decisions to make, these should not be made in the haste of a child having a tantrum and not before all strategies are examined.
Trump’s insults to the pope and others who dare to criticise him are truly abhorrent. His latest decision to stop funding Catholic charities further exposes him as a vengeful egomaniac. The pope is spreading a message of peace and while expecting this message to make any real difference would be optimistic, he would be failing in his role as leader of the church if he did not call for an end to wars and the killings of so many people. It is unclear if Iran was remotely close to producing nuclear weapons as there are too many different opinions, but the claim of “weapons of mass destruction” prior to the Iraq war comes to mind.
Thinking back on my Catholicism classes, I remember well “Render unto Caesar what is due to Caesar”. I have no memory of it including the right to attack other countries and cause the deaths of innocent people. It actually directed those who lived under Roman law to abide by such law and comply with civic duties while putting first their spiritual love and duty to God. - Yours, etc,
ELISABETH WOGAN,
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Portmarnock,
Co Dublin.
Trump is no Caesar
Sir, – In his letter supporting US president Donald Trump’s castigation of the pope because he had the audacity to preach Christian values regarding violence and war (Letters, April 15th), David Woods referred to Trump having “the world’s leading intelligence agencies at his service”. I presume these are the same agencies that told us about Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction, or indeed the same agencies that allegedly advised Trump not to heed Binyamin Netanyahu and (illegally) attack Iran?
It’s interesting that Mr Woods advises the pope to reflect on Christ’s words of rendering unto Caesar. Perhaps the pope is too busy reflecting on his other words of “blessed are the peacemakers”. I’m sure I read that various Caesars led their troops into battle to prove their leadership. Unfortunately, Trump was never able to do so due to a bone-spurs problem. Caesar he ain’t. – Yours, etc,
DANNY BOYD,
Belfast.
The perceived wisdom of mirrors
Sir, – In your Letters page, David Woods criticised the pope for arguing with Donald Trump, who has “the world’s leading intelligence agencies at his service”. That may well be true, but who says they have any contact with the White House? If Trump needs any advice, he simply goes to the nearest mirror. Would-be advisers tend to leave very soon after joining Trump’s team. – Yours, etc,
LIAM CONNORS,
Knocklyon,
Dublin 16.
