LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Knights of Columba set record straight
I READ WITH interest your article "Knights consider allowing women to join" (Catholic Herald, 15 April).
I must, however, point out certain inaccuracies which were contained with it.
The widespread activities of the Order do not allow dust to settle on it.
In fact the MEP questionnaire, to which your article refers, demonstrates our awareness of present day issues and is a continuation and development of the social concern which has been an integral part of the Order since our incorporation some 75 years ago.
It is a reflection of our growing involvement, in world affairs, through our membership of Unum °nines and the international Alliance of Catholic Knights.
As a democratic Order it is fitting that we should canvass the views of our membership on issues brought forward at our annual Supreme Council meeting.
The question of women joining the Order was one of 213 Resolutions, brought forward at our last Supreme Council, all of which are being investigated or acted upon.
You refer in your article to
Open letter to Cardinal Hume
DEAR CARDINAL HUME,
We are writing to you to add your voice to the protest against British Arms Sales to Indonesia.
Eat Timor is a Catholic country which, since 1975, has been occupied by the Indonesian regime. The occupation has been carried out with such brutality that it has resulted in the deaths of over 200,000 East Timorese citizens (that is one third of the total population)., There are many Catholic countries throughout the world suffering harsh repression by military regimes.
The Church within these countries has been remarkably brave in its attempts to help the suffering, and support the resistance to such obvious evil, but has gained little if any backing from campaigning Catholic groups in Britain.
The Pope has made known his doubts about Liberation Theology, but the fact remains the people die and suffer in their thousands and other more fortunate countries do nothing.
East Timor is an exceptional case because the Indonesian regime which is crushing the East Timorese is being openly supported by the British Government.
Many top people from our country, including members of the Royal Family, have gone across to Indonesian and shaken hands with President Suharto who leads the regime. "ballot counting" but there has been no vote.
A decision as far reaching as the one you highlight could only be taken by the elected members of Supreme Council.
What is happening now is merely an opinion poll which will enable the Supreme Council to ascertain the views of all our membership before deciding if they will consider the issue.
I am interested to note that you suggest that we have reached the point of discusing names for the "Knights female counterpart" but this is certainly not the case.
I was delighted to see your coverage of our questionnaire to MEP candidates as this does reflect the work of the Order in helping to keep our membership, and fellow Catholics, informed of the great issues which will increasingly affect us all and in ensuring that Catholics are aware when exercising their democratic rights and following the directive of our bishops to participate fully in the elections of 9 June.
EA Britten Supreme Knight of the Knights of St Columba.
Leeds
The United Nations has condemned the occupation of East Timor but this has been ignored.
Now we are selling arms to Indonesia (including 24 British Aerospace Hawk ground-attack aircraft) and these Arms are, without doubt, being used to kill and repress the people of East Timor.
Since Britain is guilty of such complicity in genocide then you, acting as IIead of the Catholic Church in England, can use your authority and undoubted integrity to help publicise the plight of the people of East Timor and to insure the survival of a civilisation which is being systematically destroyed.
We have all been ignorant of this horror for many years, but the secret filming of a recent massacre at Dili in East Timor has revealed to the world President Suharto's brutal means of suppressing any protest no matter how reasonable and non-violent.
That, coupled with John Pilger% television documentary, Death of a Nation, shown nationwide in February this year, where he and three others also secretly filmed what is happening in East Timor, renders shameful our continuing indifference an indifference hitherto excused through ignorance of the facts.
We are confident, Cardinal Hume, that your appreciation of the injustice of this situation will prompt you towards speedy and effective action. Paul and Annabel Cadclle York