In defence of the inspirational Fr Rolheiser

From Mr Brian O'Shea Sir, With regard to Fr Rolheiser's recent article (June 7) "Is unity really more important than truth?" and subsequent correspondence I would like to say that I have always found his columns to be helpful, imaginative and frequently inspirational.
His column concerning the Eucharist was no exception. The words of Jesus at the Last Supper are a statement of something profoundly mysterious and perhaps permanently beyond our human understanding at least in this present life. It is not surprising therefore that there has been much discussion and that there have been many different ideas as to their precise meaning.
The problem perhaps lies most of all with the attempt to give precision in human language to spiritual realities of which we are as yet only dimly aware. As Fr Ronald points out so imagina + lively the actions of Jesus at the Last Supper, especially in washing his disciples feet also merit our attention.
We should do our best to accept each other and also that we all have different ways of looking at the same thing, but there are many different angles from which Truth with a capital "T" can be perceived. After all, (Jesus) Our Lord's own heartfelt prayer to the Father was that we may be one as He and the Father are one.
Two 'words stand out in Fr Ronald's article: "fight" and "right". Surely the Eucharistic mystery like life itself is to be contemplated in wonder not fought about acrimoniously. The real Truth is unlikely to emerge from bickering and argument. Recently reading about Erasmus I was struck by the fact that like many other scholars of his time, whether Catholic or Protestant, he had more than once literally to flee for his life for thinking the wrong thoughts in the wrong place at the wrong time. I sincerely hope that this will not be the fate of Fr Ronald for suggesting that sometimes at best we might give up our right to be right.
Yours faithfully, BRIAN O'SHEA Luton Beds