A church, not a cult
Sir: Individuals may disagree with the policies pursued by Tony Blair in office but all the Roman Catholic Church asks is that he acted on the basis of an informed conscience (Will Blair become a true Catholic?', 1 December). If Fraser Nelson's sources had their way, the church would cease to be Catholic — open and inclusive of all — and instead become a fundamentalist religious sect which denied individuals the right to follow an informed conscience, a right consistently taught by the church. Christ didn't have much to say about the issues Fraser Nelson says are so troubling to his sources but he did condemn forthrightly the judging of others.
Tony Blair isn't perfect — but then again, if he chooses to join the church, he will be part of a community of sinners and will no doubt be welcomed by millions of people who believe in an open and tolerant church, not a cult for the self-righteous.
Mike Craven London SW3 Sir: Over the last millennium, the Catholic Church has changed what it 'believes, teaches and proclaims' about: priestly marriage, usury, a flat earth, geocentrism, a vernacular Bible, sale of indulgences, the death penalty, canonisation of heretics, fish on Friday, Jewish blame for the crucifixion, limbo, and (de facto) contraception. Surely it is not too 'breathtakingly presumptuous' of Cherie Blair to expect change on a few more issues?
Dr Robert Johnston Northampton
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