Sir - So the Pope has expressed his sorrow for the Fourth Crusade and his disgust at the looting of Constantinople in 1204 (News, June 30). This would be significant if his repentance was expressed with a desire for restitution (an essential pre-requisite for absolution in the Roman Catholic Church). If I steal my neighbour's car it is irrelevant if I tell him I am sorry, and indeed that I am looking after his car very well, if I do not actually return it.
The Roman Catholic Church still holds a very large amount of property that belongs to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Constantinople, looted in 1204 and subsequently: relics, icons, vessels and gospels. These are to be found in France, Germany, and Italy (particularly Venice). If we are to take the Pope seriously this must all be returned, including the Shroud of Turin.
From:
Oeconomos Stephen Maxfield, Greek Orthodox Church, Albrighton, Shrewsbury
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