From Count de la Bedoyere
SIR I am not really concerned with the inferences Fr McManus draws in his letter (March 31) from my remarks (Charterhouse. March 17) on the state of grace, since they do not follow from what I have written, and indeed presume positions which I do not hold. But. if he cares to e-mail me, 1 will willingly reassure him with a longer answer.
My concern is his deprecation of the other ranks in the Church expressing their views on theological matters, and inviting constructive of criticism (though, in this case, mistaken) from people like himself. Newman reminded us that the laity were part of the sensus fidelium. Without their views the truth is hobbled.
Yours faithfully QUENTIN DE LA BEDOY ERE London SW19