Concerning the present intense debate regarding Communion for the divorced and remarried (“The case for mercy”, 20 September), it is significant that canon 8 of the First Ecumenical Council of the Church, Nicaea I in 325, by insisting that Christians remain “in communion” with those who have entered into second marriages, seems to imply that Catholics who are divorced and have remarried may be admitted to receive Communion at Mass. Later this ceased to be the official position of the Catholic Church, but it is very important to remember that this more generous and welcoming approach appears to be the earlier and more conservative teaching. Norman Tanner SJ, Gregorian University, RomeI have concerns at the increasing use of the word “mercy” in relation t