This Christmas my heart goes out to my fellow diocesan Fr Philip Gay and to the woman with whom he has fallen in love (News from Britain and Ireland, 13 December). Unfortunately the euphemism “stepped down in order to consider his future” is churchspeak for “if this man wishes to remain in active ministry he must abandon the woman he loves”. This underscores the absurdity that he is now being replaced by a married but disaffected former Anglican, who presumably could not be expected to take over Fr Gay’s immense pastoral duties without the support of the woman he loves, not to speak of  his children. (Fr) Edward Butler, Derrydruel Upper, Co. Donegal, Ireland l It puzzles me that hundreds do not join one of the Eastern Catholic Churches which ordain marr