His holiness
From His Honour Malcolm Potter Sir: In the course of his page-long book review of A Moral Reckoning (Books, 2 November), which he uses as a pretext for yet another attack on the memory of Pius
XII, Gerard Noel refers to Eugenio Zolli without reminding the reader that Zolli was received into the Church in 1945 after having witnessed the conduct of Pius XII and the Church throughout the war years. Zolli makes it clear that his conversion was the result of a spiritual journey of many years, not a mere gesture of gratitude to the Pope, but nevertheless be devotes a whole chapter of his autobiography to 'The Charity of Pope Pius XII': 'There is no place of sorrow where the spirit of love of Pius XII has not reached.'
Mr Noel should read this chapter, or read it again. Attacks on the memory of Pius XII began several years after his death. Perhaps he is reviled now because he was the last Pope who reigned over an expanding Church, confident in its faith, mission and discipline. Speeches are ten a penny, but holiness is much rarer.
Malcolm Potter
Colwyn Bay, Wales
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