I’m a Catholic; here’s my card (From The Argus)

I’m a Catholic; here’s my card

8:40am Saturday 11th February 2012 in Your Argus

Do I detect an air of desperation in the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton’s appeal to carry credit card-style ID to show the holder is a Roman Catholic?

Bishop Conroy hopes this would give Catholics “the confidence to share their faith” (The Argus, February 4). Furthermore, he says, “We all carry a variety of cards which reflect something of our identity and the things that are important to us.”

True enough, but surveys show a marked decline in religious belief. A recent survey by the Office of National Statistics records a rapid decline in religious belief. Signific-antly, the 25-34 age range had the highest percentage of those with no religion.

Confidence will not suffice when a card-holder is questioned about the Church’s opposition to contraception, the scandal concerning sexual abuse of children by priests or the second-class status of women.

A valid bus pass is of more worth than the bishop’s credit-style card. And one is more likely to be asked if a 49 bus is due rather than the meaning of transubstantiaton.

WJ McIlroy, Somerhill Road, Hove

What a good idea to carry a faith card in your purse or wallet.

In an emergency where a priest is required to be there, this would be a valuable tool to enable a helper contact the right source.

The card could also act as a reminder of the core principles of the faith.

Many people carry an organ donor card or an AA card as well as the usual plastic, so a faith card would make perfect sense.

I look forward to receiving my card and I will definitely carry it with me.

M Mason, Mayfield Crescent, Brighton