I AM wondering whether the average tolerant and fair-minded reader winced uncomfortably at the inappropriate language of Robert Meggs regarding the Nativity and the recent attack on the Pope (HAS, Dec 29).

Surely, violent attacks on anyone are regrettable and unwarranted. But had Mr Meggs’ remarks been directed to other sensitive areas (religion, gender, race), he might well have put himself in some jeopardy.

In the event, he ridicules himself and his “argument” by succumbing to the very intolerance and prejudice of which he accuses the Holy Father.

Mr Meggs tends to sermonise on matters he knows little about.

This case is typical. He seems obsessed with women who, loyal to the Pope’s authority in faith/moral issues, formed about 70 per cent of the crowd in St Peter’s Square and Basilica to receive his Christmas blessing.

Likewise in our Darlington parish which incidentally is, like many others, run by women.

As to Mr Meggs’ scurrilous remarks about the Nativity, offensive to all Christians, I let the fair-minded HAS readership make its own judgement.

Mike Baldasera, Darlington.