The Path from Rome
11.111M5 110 nr .EMIVCPA
From: S. P. de Paris, Frederick C. Gillman, Peter Barnard, Tim Vane, Dr J. R. Oddie, Dr W. I. D. Scott, Arnold Wexler, Commander P. M. Bliss, Mrs A. M. Wilkinson, Imogen Forster, Christo- pher Hollis, M. G. K. Pierson, Earl Miner, Peter Flinn.
SIR,---May I, as a Roman Catholic schoolboy, write a few words in defence of Fr Charles Davis?
Over the past few months many of my friends have become increasingly disillusioned by the flabby mechanics and dogmas of our Church. At school we are increasingly bombarded by the lowest propa- ganda concerning the Church's recent achievements. What has the Church achieved? Nothing but in- decision and petulance: nothing but flaccid generalisations—and, I regret to say, plain lies, as Fr Davis pointed out in his article in the Observer. Sir, the Church is floundering: and if Roman Catholics like myself who have found its dogmas now unacceptable are beginning to find its whole moral objective difficult to stomach, then I suggest something must be done.
My point is, the Church, for all its vast wealth and strength, is doing nothing in the modern world to alleviate suffering or come to a moral decision to guide its people. I use strong language, but I feel I am justified. There is too much pious respect for this outmoded, decadent, mediaeval structure—and while I'm on the subject, I may as well add that your other correspondent, Bishop Cockin, has every right to say exactly what he likes, and be excused from impertinence. The plain fact is that in the Roman Catholic school I attend, the vast majority of thinking pupils are inclined to agnosticism: and I am not exaggerating; nor am I surprised.
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