Letter: Perfect purity
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Letter: Perfect purity
Sir: In Emily Passmore's interesting article on the Corbieres region of France (Travel, 17 January), the spiritual leaders of the Cathar (or Albigensian) community are referred to as "prefects". This is presumably a misprint for "perfects" as they were known in French as les parfaits or les bonshommes, a group of people, mainly but not exclusively men, who had taken vows of purity and abstention from meat and sexual activity. This presented a contrast to many of the regular clergy of the Roman Church.
I do wonder a little about the advisability of staying at Montsegur, where, in 1244, the Cathars emerged after a two-year siege in their eyrie to be burned alive, en masse, in the village below. It would take a strong stomach not to to feel haunted, however delicious the plats du jour.
ELIZABETH MONKHOUSE
London NW11
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments