Sir, - I do not suppose that I am alone in finding the article about Good Friday by John Banville offensive (The Irish Times, April 8th). Flying the false colours of personal reminiscence and reflection, and operating well outside the limits of civilised debate, he fired a burst of calumnious and condescending insults on Christianity and the Catholic Church. It is doubtful that you would have permitted such abuse of any other institution or body on the occasion of one of its most solemn anniversaries, or, indeed at any time; and it is surprising that one with pretensions to civility would describe in public the sacred beliefs of his neighbours in such contemptuous terms.
Mr Banville describes himself as a lapsed Catholic. This appears to have happened at a tender age; in any case, his remarks in general are distinguished by a profound ignorance of his former religion. I should like therefore to offer the following challenge. Let him read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the New Testament; let him give to any one of the numerous orthodox commentators on the latter a fraction of the time he has devoted to Nietzsche. Then let him return to his invective, if he can do so in good faith. He will then at least know something whereof he speaks. - Yours, etc.,
M. O'Flanagan
Glasnevin, Dublin 11.