Churches and homosexuality

Madam, - While Senator David Norris (March 17th) has valid points to make about child sex abuse and the rights of gays he might…

Madam, - While Senator David Norris (March 17th) has valid points to make about child sex abuse and the rights of gays he might have resisted the temptation to descend into a blinkered, anti-Catholic diatribe.

His letter is especially irrational in its attempt to claim superiority for the Anglican Church in matters of compassion. Sitting every Sunday among the British militaria in St Patrick's cathedral he might well reflect on the deviousness of preaching tolerance on the one hand and supplying chaplains to the Orange Order on the other.

As an Irish atheist I have grown heartily sick of the lack of civic responsibility repeatedly displayed by the advocates of both religious traditions. A plague on both your churches! - Yours, etc.,

SEÁN KELLY, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow.