Sir, - You have consistently given privileged space to Soline Vatinel of BASIC, and your Religious Affairs Correspondent, Patsy McGarry, always champions her cause. You printed Rosemary Swords's criticism of Vatinel as a token, but all of the letters you print support Vatinel.
The Pope has declared on his infallible and irrevocable authority that Christ (God the Son) did not give Catholic bishops the authority to ordain women as priests. And the Vatican has also stated that anyone who dissents from this teaching is no longer in full communion with the Catholic Church. And Vatinel has even said on your pages: "Who represents God our Mother in the Ordained Ministry?" And, "yet the Spirit blows where She wills. who can stop Her?" This places her outside of the entire community of those who continue to address God as Christ has taught us, "Our Father."
If you want to believe as Vatinel does, that is your right. But have you no respect for the head of our Church? And have we not the right to be left in peace? - Yours, etc.,
David Irby, Dingle, Co Kerry.