Church leadership

SIR – As Lord Carey points out (Comment, May 31), politicising by bishops does the Church and indeed the nation a disservice. At a time when we need a united and reasoned approach to dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, might we hope that the bishops heed Lord Carey’s advice and that the leaders of opposition parties also fulfil their undertaking to work with the Government in the crisis and not, as is happening, use every opportunity to score political points.

John Cunningham

Finmere, Oxfordshire

SIR – Poor leadership is giving the public the wrong message. No, I’m not talking about the Prime Minister, but the gaggle of bishops that has chosen to say nothing publicly about the Christian message in this time of crisis, but instead use it to make political points.

Rev Andrew Haslam

Higher Bebington, Wirral

SIR – As a practising member of the Church of England, I have long thought that we have far too many bishops. Their recent uncharitable comments on the actions of Dominic Cummings have simply confirmed that opinion.

Jane Moth

Snettisham, Norfolk

SIR – It would be more to their credit if our bishops concerned themselves with the plight of their flocks, who are suffering from a clear lack of shepherding.

The churches remain closed for services, no matter how small, including funerals, and there has been more evidence of compassionate care among parish clergy than from the episcopacy.

Could we please have better spiritual direction and less woolly thinking from those who are supposed to be examples of faith and hope in action?

Ann Robertson

Tenterden, Kent

SIR – The intervention of the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, concerning reopenings is timely, if not overdue. It would be quite straightforward to observe social-distancing in the open spaces of most churches, let alone vast cathedrals. With shops now opening, it would be inconsistent to deny worshippers the chance to experience the sanctity of churches.

Michael Neild

Blackburn, Lancashire