okay - you all know me. you all know I have tried to be your friend. I daresay I have upset one or two of you over the years - but I have never been intentionally malicious - or tried at any time to hold myself as something special.

so I am going to ask you ALL a favour, and hope you will try to treat with respect what I am saying. What I have to say is this:-

I know for a fact the Joe Offer has been very deeply hurt by some of the comments on this thread. Out of respect for the man, can I ask you to apologise for any hurt your comments have caused? I am sure you are all aware that Joe is man who would never countenance or condone any evil or cruel act.

I know that some of you come from places and cultures where the Roman Catholic Church has lost any respect due to it. I know that feelings run high on this subject. But this is a good man we are talking about - a man who has done good things for all of us on mudcat; a man we owe.

Can I ask you to be nice to him, if its not too soppy - to show love and respect?