IF I may, I would like to respond to Rosemary Waters letter “Catholics are tired of Attacks on faith” (Oxford Mail, September 23).

These distraction techniques are quite common among those who want to detract from the real issues at hand. Bill Donohue, who is the The President of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, stated that “no-one who ever followed the Catholic Church on sexuality ever got Aids voluntarily”.

The church does not condone the use of condoms or the use of any contraception device, and in this day and age that is contrary to Catholics’ human rights.

He also suggests that those who got Aids had turned away from the teachings of the Catholic Church.

This is unfounded and incorrect. The Church condemns homosexuality yet has hidden ordained Paedophiles. Where is the logic in that?

I have completed months of research into the Catholic Church, which led to my leaving a seminary. My decision was not taken lightly.

Ms Waters asks: “Does Mr Monaghan have written proof of what he claims in his letter?”

I would like to let Ms Waters know, I am not sad or unhappy. I just cannot accept double standards from anyone – especially a Church.

Documentary evidence of my claims exists. She could also go online to check the statistic for assaults on minors by Catholic priests throughout the world.

One priest alone was charged with 66 counts of sexual, indecent assault and another serious sexual offence relating to eight boys. He committed suicide on the eve of his trial.

Sexual abuse of minors in the priesthood has received significant media attention, with cases reported throughout the world – which I do not consider “a tiny minority of Catholic Priests”.

In addition to cases of actual abuse, much of the scandal has focused around members of the Catholic hierarchy who did not report abuse allegations to the civil authorities and, who, in many cases, reassigned offenders to other locations where alleged predators had opportunities to continue to sexually abuse children.

Defending their actions, some bishops and psychiatrists contend that the prevailing psychology of the times suggested people could be cured of their behaviour through counselling.

Members of the Church hierarchy argued that media coverage of the sexual assault of children has been excessive.

John J Monaghan, Cotman Close, Abingdon