I fully agree with what Tonio Caruana wrote in his feature ‘Why we still need saints’ (The Sunday Times, April 29).

I also attended the symposium on the subject organised by the Society of Christian Doctrine, to which he referred, and which was well received by the audience which packed the hall. If further proof were needed that we still need saints this is provided by the action which the Catholic Church took in this regard in recent years.

Although the Church has relaxed many of its strictures, the thorough examination process leading to the canonisation of new saints has not been changed, although the process has been accelerated and we can today pray to saints who were living in our own lifetime.

As examples one can mention San Ġorġ Preca, Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, and Pope John XXIII. The Church firmly believes that these holy people are still valid today and to be emulated by all.