WHAT MR JB Griffins seems to be saying is that the Catholic Church is too static, too rooted in fixed ideas while the real world moves onwards regarding the Church's official teaching on contraception (Catholic Herald, 30 August). I could say the same about people in general who break one or more of the Ten Commandments should we then outdate them and change the rules?
The Catholic Church is often almost alone in defending the teaching of Christ and every real human value. The fidelity of the Church to the Gospel and the consistence of her moral teaching win respect and attract thinking people very year. The Church does of course develop, adapt, evolve and grow in the true understanding of the Gospel and of people.
But that never means accepting evil as good. If I murder someone it will not do to say "Oh, killing is so common now, why make a fuss?"
Michael Whelan London W9
MR GRIFFIN wants the Pope to change Church teaching on contraception, and so make more credible to the public his opposition to abortion. Such a change could have the opposite effect: if the Pope changes the teaching on contraception, as a result of public pressure, then it may seem sensible to maintain or increase the pressure for abortion. Having caved in once, why shouldn't he cave in again?
But he won't cave in. Like another Paul, he knows that what is madness for pagans is really God's foolishness, which is wiser than human wisdom (See Cor. 1: 17-25). Mr G Barley
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
GK CHESTERTON once wrote that "Christianity has not failed, it has not been tried". Were he alive today, I think he would say the same about the modern methods of natural family planning. Looking back in anger at older, less efficient methods is unhelpful. Mark Rodgers
Purley, Surrey