Douglas Brown unjust

to Malta's piety
I READ the article "Case for keeping works of Art" by Douglas Brown (October 29) and I took exception to his remark on Malta's piety. I'm afraid that his words ". . . except in a few places, such as Malta, piety takes other forms than the adornment of churches," are unjust and irresponsible.
It is true that the adornment of churches is very much in the hearts of the Maltese, but that is just one of the effects of their piety which is abundant in all forms desirable. Churches in Malta are considered for what they really are; the house of God. The people in our Catholic island are convinced that the house of God deserves the best. There are hundreds of churches in many Catholic countries which are not only adorned but also preserve costly works of art, but while these churches are more or less museums and very poorly attended by the faithful, the adorned churches of Malta are always filled to capacity because the people are practising Catholics, churchgoers and pious.
We who know the people intimately feel thankful to God for the true piety still existing in families and individuals. Faith, church attendance, spirit of prayer, sacrifice, generosity, unity of family, are still prominent traits among the Maltese Catholics. The adornment of churches is not the essence of religion in Malta. but one of its effects. The Maltese are home lovers ; it is in their nature to look after their home. And, to them, the house of God, is also their home.
Just as anywhere else, there are bad Catholics. but these are not concerned with either piety or adornment of churches. Thank God. the rest (to make my own the idea behind the concluding words of D. Brown's article) still face the great challenge, and do not meet it by symbolically rejecting the Church's past.
(Fr.) Harry Born, O.P. SI iema. Malta.
Canon Rea
MAY I beg some space in your columns for an appeal for contributions for a memorial to the late Canon Donald Rea, who died in 1967 after 47 years in the Ministry, and 32 years as Vicar of Eye and Braiseworth. He was successively Chaplain. Visitor and Warden of the Community of the Holy Cross, Haywards Heath, between 1925 and 1961. But his most notable work was in the promoting of reconciliation between Canterbury and Rome.
Archbishop Cardinale, the then Apostolic Delegate, who was represented at Canon Rea's funeral, wrote to him: "He was indeed one of the most outstanding precursors and architects of the ecumenical progress we are now enjoying .
"No history of the relations between Canterbury and Rome could be complete without an account of his valuable contribution to the cause of reunion."
It is proposed to erect a Shrine of Our Lady as a commemoration. Contributions will be gratefully received by myself and the Churchwardens.
(Rev.) Raymond B. Jones The Vicarage, Eye, Suffolk.