IF he wrote about the tribulations of turnip growing or the life story of, say, Noel Dempsey, Peter Ackroyd would still produce a bestseller.

YOUR series on religion in modern Ireland (March 20/21) covered the many influences shaping religion, the standing of religion in today’s society and the opportunities of the Celtic Tiger bridging the wide gap with darker economic climes when one alternative to the emigrant boat had the consoling name of “vocation”.

Pope Benedict XVI called divisions among Christians a “scandal to the world” and recalled the faith's deep roots in Europe at a joint ceremony in Istanbul today with the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians at his ancient enclave.