20 MARCH 1982, Page 16

With respect?

Sir: I had to laugh when I read that A. N.. Wilson (6 March), in the middle of a vitriolic attack on the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church, politely remarks that he 'intends no disrespect' to Pope John Paul. As a 'weak-minded person' (Wilson's term for a Catholic), I can't help feeling that the Revd Ian Paisley would have done a gentler 'hatchet job' on Paul Johnson's book than did Mr Wilson.

I notice, too, that Mr Wilson's gratuitous attack on Opus Dei towards the end of his diatribe relies on the opinions of 'everyone he knows who has come in touch with This reminds me of the Guinness advertise- ment of some years ago: 'Guinness? No, thanks! I don't like it, because I've never tried it.'

John Horrigan

6 Orme Court, London W2