Sir, - As a Presbyterian minister, I have held Dr Connell in high esteem since he was my philosophy teacher in UCD more than 15 years ago. But he misunderstands the nature of the invitation to all Christians to participate fully in a Communion Service. What we sometimes call "the Open Table" is an important theological principle for most Presbyterians (and many other Protestants too). It is a principle which long predates these ecumenical days. It is an integral part of our sacramental practice and not a trendy innovation directed at his flock in particular. For us, to fail to give the invitation to which Dr Connell objects is to appropriate to one part of the church the holy sacrament which belongs to God alone. It is not open to us to diminish significance of the Lord's Table in that way. - Yours, etc.,
Rev John Scott, Pentonville Road, London N1.