From Mr John Ochai SIR I view with dismay the

relentless vilification of President-Elect Barack Obama in the Catholic press since his victory in the recent American election. Equally worrying is the mounting criticism of anyone who dares says anything complimentary about the poor chap.
Bishop Crispian Hollis of Portsmouth is a case in point (Report, November 21). He has, unfairly in my opinion, been the subject of vitriolic attack for merely praising Mr Obama's achievement. which has come against all odds given the bad race relations that have poisoned American society for most of her history.
Lest we forget, more than half of the Catholic electorate (54 per cent to be precise) voted for Mr Obama, compared with 45 per cent for Senator John McCain. Is anyone suggest ing that ail the Obama voters are proabortion? What about the Vatican and practically all people of goodwill worldwide who have been genuinely moved by his triumph? Surely they can not all be pro-abortion. Conversely, not all of McCain supporters are pro-life I am certain.
No one knows the mind of God and how He uses people to achieve a particular goal which at this point no one can be sure of. Scripture is full of examples from both the Old and the New Testaments of individuals who on the surface we would not touch with a barge pole and yet have done tremendous jobs.
I am not seriously suggesting that Obama's victory was divinely inspired but we should give the boy a chance.
Currently the Church is celebrating the Year of St Paul, the great apostle of the Gentiles. He was a persecutor of the early Church and look what happened to him and the force for good which he became. Who are we to judge anyone? We should wait until Mr Obama assumes office. Politicians are well known for saying one thing on the soapbox and doing precisely the opposite when they get into office.
Frankly, a lot that has been printed about his views on abortion, stem-cell research and all other life issues has been greatly exaggerated. He has always said that he would be open to discussion and seek to engage the victims, parents, carers, spouses, healthcare workers, adoption agencies and priests to reach common ground.
From all available evidence he has a brilliant mind and is quite easily the most intelligent person ever to assume that office. He will not do anything to compromise his legacy.
Yours faithfully. JOHN OCHAI Wootton. Isle of Wight