19 NOVEMBER 2005, Page 22

Body and soul

From Professor Sir Michael Dummett Sir: Paul Johnson says, ‘Our souls have existed before space and time’ (And another thing, 12 November). Since Paul Johnson is known to be a Catholic, some will infer that this is Catholic teaching. On the contrary, the Council of Constantinople of AD 543 anathematised the thesis that the soul existed before the body (Denzinger 403), and it has ever since been the teaching of the Church that it did not do so. Before making theological assertions, Paul Johnson would do well to consult a theologian, or at least his parish priest.

Michael Dummett Oxford

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