I think talking from a distance is of less harm than meeting with him - I'm not quite sure myself what John's actual problem is, but from talking to him, I think he believes himself some kind of sword of God, some kind of instrument of punishment, perhaps.

I'm not sure Costigan would be the first target of something like that, but he might be the sort of man he looks to get to help him. I imagine this is all things you could get off his warden instead of me. I'm just making educated guesses.

It is frustrating, though. Feel free to offer me as someone to talk to,and I'll try to be as open and understanding as I can with the whole Catholic and Protestant difference, but it's a different way of being educated and growing up, so I'll understand why he'd find that difficult.