No, minister — on two counts

Sir — That was an interesting letter from John Fitzgerald (Sunday Independent, July 1) agreeing with minister Josepha Madigan taking to the altar in the Church of St Therese in Mount Merrion, Dublin, but disagreeing with her granting a licence for hare-coursing.

Now I am not in favour of the latter, but I would have thought a much greater reason for disagreeing with Ms Madigan was her campaigning for abortion. I do not agree with cruelty to animals but have an even greater difficulty with terminating the lives of unborn babies.

It is hard to understand her wish to meet Pope Francis, who has spoken so often against abortion, never mind her wish to advise him how the Church should change. There are very many churches which can accommodate her views and it would be more honest of her to join one of them instead of scandalising those who treasure and value the Catholic Church in spite of its, and our, many sins and failings. Mary Stewart (Mrs),

Donegal town