I WISH to correct the false impressions given by R Meggs recently (HAS, Aug 13).

His blanket scurrilous remarks about children and priests at the Madrid youth meeting were completely unjustified and don’t acknowledge their exemplary hard work in faultlessly and selflessly serving our communities through life.

Can he be unaware that the Church now provides some of the safest environments for children in a country where abuse of all types is endemic? I know, I am in the safeguarding business.

Neither the Bible nor Church teaches condemnation of Muslims or anyone else. Mr Meggs does. The heart of the gospels is love of God and love thy neighbour in mind and deed.

Jesus wanted this idea spread globally. Interestingly and tantalisingly, he said “I have other sheep who are not of this fold”, (John 10 verse 16). Good people from other faiths, perhaps?

Finally, R Meggs totally but characteristically misconstrues and misrepresents Mayor Bloomberg’s motives in banning a religious dimension to the 9/11 ceremony as a victory for antireligion.

It certainly caused major controversy. Americans are the most religious of nations, after all. Many did not understand, just as we sometimes don’t, that the real reason is political correctness in the form of family celebration only.

Michael Baldasera, Darlington.