Anglican aspic

From Mr David Chapman SIRI think Antony Charles Ryan (Letter, August I) largely misses the point about those Anglicans in this country considering reception into the Catholic Church. Unlike in America, the majority of them have in all probability used a rite in the celebration of the Eucharist that is very similar, if not identical, to the modem Roman rite. They may love the Book of Common Prayer. as I do, but they don't use it.
I disagree profoundly, and from experience, with Mr Ryan. Let those seeking reception enter wholeheartedly into the Catholic Church in this country. Certainly, we could do with a further injection of good liturgists, pastoral priests, informed laity and the like.
When I was received, 14 years ago, what I sought was not a little ghetto where I could continue being an Anglican but in communion with Rome, but the certainty of being in complete and unambiguous communion with my bishop and the Holy Father.
The Catholic Church is not perfect we all love to grumble about it but I cannot express the joy and, peace I find in taking a full and active part in the life of a thriving, positive and growing parish, where those of every nation and background are made welcome and the Faith is taught without compromise or embarrassment but with great love and humanity. I value my Anglican background (as I was told to do so by Cardinal Basil Hume) but I don't want to be preserved in Anglican aspic.
Let the Catholic Church in this country welcome with open arms those who wish to come to us, but welcome them into the fullness of the Church, with all its glories and its faults. Who knows? They may be able to help with the faults and expand the glories.
Yours faithfully, DAVID CHAPMAN Enfield Lock, Middlesex