Infallibility

Like most people, Catholic or not, John Burn (Jan 7) in his quarrel with the Pope over sexual abuse, misunderstands Church teaching on infallibility. Not every utterance by a Pope fulfills the stringent conditions that constitute infallibility, the theological niceties of which are readily accessible.

Meanwhile, in America the Feds wait to pounce upon Church records; and worldwide the outrage of ordinary Catholics against the hierarchy is triggering dramatic decisions.

Not every member of the Church continues to be deceived; not every member of the Church can be silenced.

Nevertheless, the guilty are seeing to it that His Holiness presides over a shell.

Adrian McNamara, Blenheim