Sir, - It was with a sense of shock that I read Fr David O'Hanlon's letter (April 8th) on President Robinson's visit to the Vatican. Your many correspondents on this topic, including a large number of priests, have more than adequately dealt with this outrageous and ill judged attack. I wish to add my name to this chorus of rebuttal.
As chairman of Trocaire, the official Catholic Church agency for Third World development, I have much admiration for the manner in which President Robinson has worked on behalf of the developing countries during her presidency. This has included a number of visits to Africa, during which she has succeeded in touching the lives of local people through her direct contacts with them, and the dignified way in which she championed their cause.
For Fr O'Hanlon to apply the epithet "cheap" to President Robinson, considering her work over the past six years, simply indicates how detached he himself is from the realities of today's world. Let me remind Fr O'Hanlon that what Peter says about Paul tells us more about Peter than about Paul.
Yours, etc,
Chairman of Trocaire.