John Guillaumier’s piece On Leaving The Church (September 14) reaches the height of arrogance and ignorance about what it means to be a Catholic in today’s world. He categorically asserts: “Nowadays, only those who are credulous or conformist feel the need to belong to the scandal-ridden Catholic Church”.

Surely, those who know me well enough and those who have read for several years my written contributions in The Times and her sister newspaper The Sunday Times can confirm that, although I take pride in being Catholic I remain an avid seeker after truth which is reflected not only in the Catholic Church but in the whole of creation. I find it preferable to keep to my original spiritual tradition which has its roots in the Catholic Church. I am convinced that it is always more satisfying to deepen and preserve the religion of my ancestors while keeping my mind open and tolerant towards those who do not share my convictions.

Mr Guillaumier takes pride in saying that he left the Catholic Church 45 years ago and that ever since he has experienced an integration of personality and feels whole.

I find this difficult to understand. In my view, a fully integrated person takes no delight in periodically taking cheap shots at adherents of any religious institution, including the Catholic Church.

In Measure for Measure, William Shakespeare addresses the attitude of the self-righteous in this vein:

Man, proud man,
Drest in a little brief authority,
Most ignorant of what he’s most assured,
His glassy essence, like an angry ape,
Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven,
As make the angels weep.