Letter: Church inequality

Equal opportunities are supposed to be a founding principle of the Scottish Parliament yet we have not heard a single MSP or Scottish minister voicing criticism of the exclusion of women from the priesthood and hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church during the Pope's visit.

The exclusion of religions from the obligations to promote equality that are required by law of public organisations and businesses in our society is a scandal.

When will our elected representatives be principled enough to seek to remedy this injustice which was brought about by the lobbying power of religions in the Westminster parliament and is assented to by MSPs?

Norman Bonney

Palmerston Place

Edinburgh

How proud Richard Dawkins should be. Thanks largely to him, it is proclaimed that Britain is yet the most advanced nation.

For, once Cardinal Kasper's medieval viewpoint (your report, 16 September) is allowed for how else can his dismissal of Britain as a third world country be interpreted?

MICHAEL HUTCHINGS

Merchiston Avenue

Edinburgh