Body of opinion

I have always thought that representation must necessarily include a strong element of democracy, something clearly absent in the claim by Mark Boyle (Letter, 10 February) that the Pope represents a "sizeable recognised body of opinion in this country".

The opinions of the Catholic Church are edicts, set out by a very small inner group, and are based on myth, unsubstantiated belief, writings of dubious provenance and discrimination, all cloaked in the name of "faith". Memberships of various secular organisations may be small by comparison, but these are voluntary and genuine, unlike those of various churches, which include in their statistics involuntary membership from birth or infant baptism, and those whose faith has lapsed.

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy's fulsome welcome of Pope Benedict VI's visit later this year is offensive to many who believe that there is no place in today's Scotland for a medieval organisation, or its leader, which continues to discriminate against half its population. It has been half-hearted in putting its own house in order regarding the extensive abuses to children carried out by its priests and nuns. It continues to oppose critical medical and social programmes that condemn its own constituents worldwide to poverty, disease, suffering and death.

The worst of atrocities have been perpetrated in its name to impose its version of faith, including the Inquisition, now renamed the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, of which Joseph Ratzinger was Prefect before his elevation.

M DUNCAN

Craigie Road

Perth