I was initially puzzled by the title of Gabriel Daly's article, "Let battle commence", (The Tablet, 10 January). It brought to mind the often fruitless mutual quarrels of the sixteenth century. However his comment at the end: "The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith offends against justice and peace by identifying its own traditionalist opinions as the immutable teaching of the Church" recalled to mind the recent dismissal of bishop Bill Morris from his diocese in Australia.
The initial attempt to oust him was based on the accusation that he was allowing General Absolution too readily, which was against the rules. No theological rartionale was given for the rules and the pastoral conditions obtaining in Australia were brushed aside. Against his better judgement he bowed to their authority and tightened up the conditions for General Absolution.
Attention then turned to his pastoral letter in which, it was alleged, he had approved of such matters as the ordination of women priests which was against the teaching of the Church. Called before Cardinals Arinze, Re and Levada he could only plead that his pastoral letter said no such thing. The text in fact clearly states simply that such matters are being discussed in various parts of the world. There was no language problem here; Cardinal Arinze is an English speaker.
An eminent Australian QC described the whole proceeding as "lacking in due process" and contrary to natural justice. And so a leading public authority of our Church, "light of the world", is perceived as a powerful coterie of narrow-minded, if sincere men, who do not understand dialogue but expect blind obedience. They lord it over us, even over our bishops, in spite of the Lord's clear injunction: "Among you this is not to happen". (Mk 10.42)
I cannot but agree with Gabriel Daley that "we have a situation that makes dissent and protest not only permissible, but a moral and theological duty".
Kevin Dean, Blackburn
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