Sir, - The Christmas-card image of angels hovering in the sky may be acceptable at the level of very young children. However, many of us move beyond that mode of thought as we seek to explore the deeper significance of the nature of God. Much of the language in which religious concepts has been packaged is unhelpful and outmoded - for example "There's a Friend for little children above the bright blue sky"- one of the hymns sung heartily by generations of churchgoers.
Bishops Robinson, Spong and others have engaged our minds in grappling with theological issues in a serious way. I believe Dean Andrew Furlong has had the honesty and courage to do the same, recognising that people within the church find themselves in different places on, as he says, the theological map.
It has traditionally been a mark of the Anglican Church that we have been able to hold together diversity of thought and thus allow individuals to find their various paths to God. I find it very disturbing if this type of debate is no longer to be allowed and if serious theological articles are withdrawn from circulation.
As a member of the Church of Ireland, I feel the dean's writings have been one of the better things to emerge in recent times, allowing us to engage in real theological debate - which generally seems to be lacking. I am an adult and I can think for myself and evaluate ideas for myself. I want to be part of a church that can remain open to debate in a mature, respectful and sensitive way and that can accept people, both clergy and laity, who are sincerely trying to grow in their spiritual understanding. As a church are we mature enough to do this? - Yours, etc.,
Carol Revington, Templeogue, Dublin 6W.