It is reassuring to hear the Magisterium articulate the theological principle of the Sensus Fidei in such a positive way in the International Theological Commission document “Sensus Fidei in the Life of the Church” (“Let the laity be heard”, Tina Beattie, 16 August). The publication of the document is important for many reasons; one of which is that it touches the nerve of the current “cultural wars” in Catholicism. I hope that its reception will do much to heal the fracturing that is the experience of contemporary Catholicism. However, I fear that it may also serve to deepen the polarisation if it becomes an ideological instrument for those on either side of the “divide” who seek Magisterial endorsement for their positions. The contested co