The Absolute Truth

From Mr Edward Stourton & Ms Fiona Murch Sir, Piers Paul Read's breathless litany of charges against the BBC television series and accompanying book Absolute Truth in last week's Charterhouse ended like this; "In their survey of the Church in Africa. Stourton and his researchers chose to interview one Belgian nun. Why? Because she thinks people with AIDS should be allowed to wear condoms!"
Sister Leonia who is Polish, not Belgian works in a Zambian shanty-town where the level of HIV infection is estimated at over 90 percent. Every week she watches AIDS claim its victims in her hospice, and almost every day she conforts the families of the bereaved. She is a loyal Catholic, and her challenge to the Church's teaching is anything but frivolous.
If Piers Paul Read really cannot see why her dilemma merits attention -whatever judgement one may pass on her conclusion there seems little point in engaging in a wider debate with him on the way "Absolute Truth" approached the rich and inspiring subject of the Catholic Church in the modem world.
Yours faithfully, EDWARD STOURTON, FIONA MURCH Executive Producer, Absolute Truth BBC London W 12.