Far too smart

How could a spokesperson for the diocese of Down and Connor have been allowed write this letter? Letter appeared in Tuesday's Irish Times.

Presumably Brendan Smyth had faculties to work as a priest in the diocese.

Madam, – Pat Buckley (Letters, January 13th) inaccurately stated that, at the time of his “sacking”, Fr Brendan Smyth “was ministering in Down and Connor with the knowledge and consent of its then bishop, Cahal Daly”.

It should be noted that Fr Brendan Smyth, a native of Belfast, was not a diocesan priest and never held any appointment in the Diocese of Down and Connor at any time. – Yours, etc,

Fr EDWARD McGEE,

Media Liaison Officer,

Down and Connor Diocese.