Mark Hoban MP (“Understand a little more, condemn a little less”, 29 March) is quite right in saying that there “are MPs who are Catholics, not Catholic MPs, a subtle but important difference”. His article is full of sensible advice to the hierarchy, but somewhat short of suggestions to his party. The Prime Minister’s curt rebuff to Cardinal Nichols’ remarks was a ludicrous, but not uncommon, mistake on his part – he missed a unique opportunity of making friends with the newly elevated cardinal. A few weeks ago there was a Mass of Thanksgiving offered by Cardinal Nichols at Westminster Cathedral. Tony Blair and his wife were there sitting on the second row on the left, by the aisle. I was also there – and there was not a single Conservative