I appreciated Yvette De Bono’s letter (February 18)) but feel that she is rather pessimistic about what we can do for our salvation. Although our salvation is in God’s hands, I believe there is much we can do to help achieve it. I hope that any of us would have the courage to die for our faith, if necessary. But in the meantime we have to pray, to embrace the graces of the sacraments and simply follow the teachings of the gospels which are mainly all about being kind to each other, giving comfort and helping people to heal, spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, physically and socially, in any small way we can.

In connection with Ms De Bono’s letter, I believe that with the Pope’s decision to resign, to commit himself to a life of prayer – not an easy option, and we shall miss him dearly – we shall be able to watch out for and look forward to immense changes in the Church and in the world as a result of his endeavours. So, no pressure then, Your Holiness.