SIR – I would like to make my position clear in response to concerns about my views on Catholic schools and gay marriage (Report and comment, January 20). I am a fan of Catholic schools. Both for their high values-based standards and their proud history of serving diverse communities. That is why I supported ending the 50 per cent cap on faith-based admissions for new free schools. It was not helping to reduce segregation but was acting as a barrier to new Catholic schools from opening.
In Parliament, I was asked about the Trojan Horse episode in Birmingham, which resulted in inappropriate behaviours, unequal treatment and segregation in state-funded secular schools. In response, my point was that it is not acceptable for Muslim or any other children in Britain to be educated in such environments, in the same way it would not be okay for Catholic (or any other) schools to disregard their equalities duties under the law. I was not suggesting that the law should go any further than the existing requirement that teaching is conducted in an appropriate, factual, reasonable, professional and sensitive way.
While I personally support the right to gay marriage, I do respect the Catholic Church’s long-held view, just as I appreciate its doctrine that gay men and women must be accepted with compassion. I am certainly not threatening the right of the Church or individuals of faith to hold their views. Our diversity, tolerance and freedoms are among the many things that make this country such a great place to live in.
I hope we can all unite around that.
Yours faithfully,
Dame Louise Casey CB
By email
SIR – The Order of Malta has in recent years truly rediscovered its vocation in humanitarian work, and the untiring work of Fra’ Matthew Festing, and his predecessor Fra’ Andrew Bertie, in this area has drawn great admiration.
The time has surely now come, however, for the order to drop its claim to be a sovereign body. Even before the current actions of the Vatican, the order’s position in international law has not been that of a sovereign state.
Most prominently, perhaps, while it is true that both the Vatican and the Order of Malta have observer status at the General Assembly of the United Nations, there are grades of status: the Vatican observes as a non-member state, while the order is on a par with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Olympic Committee.
Like the displaced descendants of aristocrats of the old European order, the Order of Malta must now take its place in the modern world.
Yours faithfully,
Robert Daniels-Dwyer
Oxford
SIR – In Christian Adams’s cartoon (Cover, January 13), and despite the clash of sword and crozier, the knight and bishop are placed on the chessboard in such a way that neither piece is attacking the other. Moreover, it is not possible to place a knight and a bishop on the board so that each piece is attacking the other.
Chess is not a good metaphor for this matter, and it is clear from the cover story that there are knights and bishops on both sides of the question: it is not “knights versus bishops”.
Finally, the Knights of Malta were not always universally popular. Their Grand Prior in England from 1372 (as Knights Hospitallers) was Sir Robert Hales. In 1381 he was appointed Lord High Treasurer by Richard II, charged with collecting the hated poll tax. “Hob”, as he was known to the commons, was taken from the Tower of London and beheaded by the rebels.
Yours faithfully,
Robert Pellegrinetti
London NW5
SIR – I am a divorced Catholic, but now in a stable, loving relationship with another lady, who was widowed. Naturally enough, I have been following the arguments about admitting people in my position to the sacraments. The recent statements from cardinals of different countries just highlights the seeming confusion.
I have been led to understand that I must follow all the precepts of the Church, attend Mass, join in parish organisations etc, but not be permitted to receive Communion, which I have always thought and regarded to be the prime sustainer of a spiritual life. I am informed from your columns that even if I regard my conscience as clear and do receive Communion, then my conscience is in error, and presumably it is a sin of pride.
I can understand the Church wanting to maintain a perfect stance on the sanctity of marriage, but I am aghast that following the Year of Mercy, of forgiveness, there has been no positive statement, except from the Pope and the Maltese bishops, wishing to address the issue. How many Catholics are in the same position: five or 10 per cent?
Are all these Catholics now second-class citizens, doomed to live this excommunicated life, never to receive Communion – even on their deathbeds, presumably? Even if they have attended Confession but been unable to change the circumstances in which they find themselves? To go the rest of one’s life without being allowed to receive Communion is so uncharitable, so devoid of any compassion and understanding, so lacking in insight into how life can unfold in certain circumstances, so unforgivingly rigid.
Yours faithfully,
David Baugh
By email
SIR – Matthew Walther writes of his ambitions that his children be celibate (Charterhouse, January 20). Let him beware, for experience shows that parental ambition for any goal, no matter how lofty, can become an imposition and a millstone around their child’s neck.
All parents should do is trust that their children discover the point at which their talents, the will of God and their situation coincide, and that they should then freely choose this path. They should guide their children, encouraging and promoting a religious and virtuous way of life, but not push any lifestyle choices, for to do so will result in resentment and tears.
Yours faithfully,
Francis Beswick
Stretford, County
SIR – Nothing short of regularly publicising the joys of sexual purity will bring about an improvement in the sexual abuse problem. Yet the tendency seems to be not to mention this.
When we overcome this tendency and begin to believe that there is a joyous blessing in purity of mind (the beginning of it all) there will be an improvement. All we have read of this so far are cosmetic solutions which will not cope with the conversion of our strong sexual tendencies.
Yours faithfully,
Fr Bryan Storey,
St Paul the Apostle, Tintagel, Cornwall
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.