3 JANUARY 1958, Page 29

BEHIND THE TIMES SIR,—This is probably the worst possible season

in which to fan the embers of religious controversy. Nevertheless, the Rev. H, R. Wilson's ipse 'there are two principal groups of priests in Eng- land, namely Catholic priests, i.e. those ordained in

the Church of England, and Roman Catholic priests' —does call for at least a mild comment. Disregard- ing his exclusiveness (so unlike the attitude of the authors of Infallible Fallacies), I should very much like to ask Mr. Wilson whether he will give us some guiding principles in this matter of nomen- clature. Perhaps the following questions will help him to do so.

1. What happens when, say, two native Siamese are ordained, in Siam, to the Anglican and Roman ministries respectively? Which is `Catholic' pure and simple then? 2. What happens when these two Siamese priests come to England? Which is 'Catholic' pure and simple then? If Mr. Wilson has thought much about the South India question he should be well able to explain the tremendous effect national boundaries have on Catholicity, As things are at the moment, however, many of your readers must be in 'the very dungeon "of uncertainty' about the criterion of Catholicity, ,especially if they are, as I am, convinced that Catholicity and nationalism are ontologiCally mutu- ally exclusive in the sphere of religion.—Yours faith- fully,