SIR—With great regret, I must dissociate myself from the view expressed by my friend Father Witcutt in your issue of today, and from the sky-scraper which he has balanced on an °biter dictum.
The occasion of the Holy Father's expression of personal opinion was so slight— the reception of a professional association accidentally holding its annual conference in Rome—that it is astonishing for Father Witeutt to say " it is our duty as loyal Catholics to accept his decision . . . If any Catholic held that view, he should now abandon it." On the contrary, if loyal Catholics had to collate and reconcile all Papal °biter dicta of equal slightness, doubtless they would be faced with some pretty contradictions.
There has been no decision. If the Church wishes to make a further statement on industrialism, doubtless the occasion will be much more formal. The Holy Father himself would be the first. I feel sure, to disclaim any sort of official or semi-official force for the present statement.
H. A. ROBBINS.
Welford Cottage, Hill, Sutton Coldfield.