God help them

Richard Lucas (Letters, 28 April) again vilifies secularism, joining Pope Benedict in this regard. The Pope has made fighting secularism the main thrust of his papacy, and in his recent letter to Ireland's Catholics, bizarrely appeared to blame secularism for the sexual abuse of children by his priests and its cover-up by his bishops.

It is now established beyond doubt that there is a dangerous outbreak of seculaphobia, and secularists are being persecuted for their belief in equality, justice and one law for all.

Can I assume there will now be a government inquiry into seculaphobia, and that vote-chasing politicians will court secularists, throw money at them to establish secular schools, appoint 26 secularists to the House of Lords, and start appealing directly to the secular "community"?

ALISTAIR McBAY

Methven

Perth