18 SEPTEMBER 2004, Page 36

Nearly immaculate

From Alice Thomas Ellis Sir: I liked Jane Gardam's review of my book God Has Not Changed (Books, 4 September). Just two points. The doctrine of the immaculate conception suggests that since bearing children 'in sorrow' was a consequence of Eve's contribution to the Fall, it is logical to suppose that a woman conceived without sin might be spared; and it was not Jesus who said 'Be still and know that Jam God'.

Alice Thomas Ellis

Oswestry, Powys