25 AUGUST 1973, Page 5

Faith and Shroud

From the Rt. Rev, Bruno S. James Sir: With regard to your interesting article on the Holy Shroud of Turin (Aug. 18), may I say that properly sPeaking it is not a matter of Faith Whether you believe in it or not. Some perfectly orthodox, even conservative,

atholics do not believe it is genuine, Others do; just as some people believe Shakespeare wrote all the plays that bear his name and others do not. Without doubt it would console and may be help the faith of some people to feel they had the likeness of Christ Di) the Holy Shroud but it is not necessary for their faith. In the same way the discreet use of wine may be of use to the health of some people but most People although they may enjoy it can get on very well without it.

Collegio Universitario Newman, Via Paladino 5, Napoli, Italy