The “elderly former Welsh priest” who “was able to deliver a well-prepared explanation of the readings” when there was no other priest to celebrate Mass (Letters, 5 April), is a further instance of the crying need for the full rehabilitation of such “former priests”. At a stroke, both Francis’ “epoch of mercy”, and above all the pastoral provision for those starved of eucharistic bread, would both be carried forward. Apart, also, from the help this would give to other “elderly priests”, who increasingly form the greater part of the presbyterate, and often carrying health- threatening burdens that, were they horses, would render their bishops liable for prosecution by animal welfare charities, there is a hitherto little-cons