Like individuals, churches are not without sin, as chapters 2-4 of the Book of Revelation makes quite clear.

It would appear the terrible events that have overtaken the Roman Catholic Church, so well outlined by Adam Trimingham (January 2), have come like a judgement of God.

The perverted behaviour of some clergy over many years and the subsequent cover-up has resulted in grave damage being implicated on the reputation of the Catholic Church and, to a lesser extent, the Christian Church in general.

At the root of this problem is the same sin the scribes and pharisees were enforcing at the time of Jesus, which was adding to the law of God regulations which were not required by him (Mark, chapter 7).

In this case, the Roman Catholics' rule that their clergy should be celibate, which is nowhere demanded in the Bible.

In fact, the opposite - marriage - is called for in leaders of the church (see the pastoral letters to Timothy and Titus).

It is still possible, if the right course of action is taken, the Church can be strengthened by this worldwide disaster.

The authorities in Rome need to repent in an attitude of prayer, humility and soul searching of past mistakes by abandoning the unnatural tradition of celibacy and allowing their clergy to marry.

This would have a reinvigorating and unifying effect on the whole Christian Church by affirming the authority of the word of God.

-Alan Nunn, Pipers Close, Hove