Sir, - Brenda O'Hanrahan (December 27th) drew attention to the highly contentious language of numbers 28 and 31 in the Church of Ireland's 39 Articles of Religion. That the Church of Ireland is not unaware of the problems this poses for ecumenism is shown in a resolution passed by the General Synod away back in 1975:
"That this House, recognising that certain statements in the 39 Articles are regarded as uncharitable, requests the House of Bishops to ask the Anglican Consultative Council to examine such statements with a view to the removal of misunderstanding and the avoidance of language which might be deemed offensive to our fellow Christians of other denominations ..."
It would seem clear from this that the Church of Ireland, while adhering to its historic faith, is very concerned to avoid giving offence to fellow Christians in Ireland, including those of the Roman Catholic tradition. - Yours, etc.,
Lisnadill Rectory, Armagh.