Sir, - Father Sean Fagan (July 10th) eloquently and eruditely summarised the history of the earthly priesthood of the Church. His letter is as fine an example of clear exposition as I have read in a long while; I sense a scholar of deep faith and generous spirit.
David Irby, in contrast, though also clearly a man of sincere faith, takes an outdated authoritarian position that, while admirable in its expression of loyalty, misconstrues the doctrine of papal infallibility and the historical and present realities.
As Father Fagan shows us, no man or woman has sole access to the truth, but we may all hope and pray that in each age the Spirit may guide us towards it. - Yours, etc.,
Sean Cook, M.D., Ph.D., San Antonio, Texas, USA.