Sir, - The Church of Ireland communion is commonly accepted as symbolic of the bread broken by Jesus during the last supper. Anyone who eats it is doing so in memory of Jesus. Therefore the Church of Ireland communion is a good thing and a form of prayer. It is not sham and a waste of time at all. Luke 10 says: "Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you".
We Catholics will always continue to believe in the miracle of Transubstantiation in our Holy Eucharist which contains the body and blood of Christ. Yet when we visit our Protestant neighbours, we believe Christ to be present in a different, though nevertheless a very real form, as when two or three are gathered together in His name. - Yours, etc.,
Sean O'Brien, Kilrush, Co Clare.
Sir, - What I observe is that in Ireland, criticism of Protestantism or Protestant clergy is called sectarianism but criticism of Catholicism or Catholic clergy is called freedom of speech. - Yours, etc.,
Denis O'Connell, Skibbereen, Co Cork.
Sir, - I am a questioning but committed member of the majority Church. I have also been very happy to take Communion with fellow-Christians of the Church of Ireland when the occasion arose.
Recent developments inspire me to do so more often for the future. God works in mysterious ways. - Yours, etc.,
Michael Coady, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary.
Sir, - Dr Desmond Connell, in his interview in the Sunday Business Post, says one cannot have a deep personal faith in Christ "unless it is within the Church". The complete arrogance of this statement is breathtaking. How dare he belittle the faith of so many. Scripture addresses the importance of faith in many places. Romans 1: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." Ephesians 2: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God". Jesus himself said many times: "I am the way". I have yet to find the rider, "but only through the Catholic Church". - Yours, etc.,
Ursula Byrne, Sandymount, Dublin 4.
Sir, - Let us be clear about basics. A Catholic cannot in good faith communicate at a Church of Ireland service. A welcome to everyone whose conscience permits him to come to communion is loaded. We must be careful not to hurt any one's conscience. - Yours, etc.,
Sr Agatha McLoughlin RJM, Convent of Jesus and Mary, Our Lady's Grove, Dublin 14.