I could not agree more with Elizabeth Taylor. The ignorant days of St Peter the fisherman, referred to in the story of Sister Lena, have thankfully been dissipated by scientific knowledge.

Hooked fish will struggle out of fear and physical pain. They are then dragged out of the water into an alien environment in which they start to suffocate, just as we would if we were pulled under water. Their gills, similar to our lungs, collapse and may bleed. The swim bladder can rupture due to the sudden change in pressure on their bodies. Breathing is virtually impossible.

The fish is then handled. Even with wet hands, as recommended by anglers, this handling removes the invisible outer mucus layer which provides waterproofing. Fish are consequently left open to infection when eventually returned to water. If injured and traumatised fish survive the ordeal of being caught, they may still die later through stress or be so weakened they are easy prey for predators.

Under the Christian "paradigm of generosity" principle, the fishing nun should be promulgating compassion to all God's creatures.

-David Hammond, North Court, Hassocks