Repairing the damage to Bishop Bell’s memory

SIR – Charles Moore (Comment, November 18) speaks for a great many when he welcomes the statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, that no cloud remains over the reputation of Bishop George Bell. There were never grounds for claiming one did.

Two things are now essential. First, Bishop Bell’s name must be restored to all places from which it has shamefully been removed, especially to George Bell House in Chichester.

Secondly, Chichester Cathedral must host a service of thanksgiving for the life and work of this great man. It would be a fitting act of repentance for the grave injustice done to his memory.

Rev Dr Barry A Orford London NW3

SIR – It is good news that Archbishop Welby has finally retracted his “significant cloud” remark.

However, as Charles Moore points out, this is far from sufficient. In addition to the proposed statue for Canterbury Cathedral, of which Bishop Bell was dean, his name needs to be restored to the building still dedicated to his memory in Chichester, where he was bishop, and to the other places in that city from which it was peremptorily removed in 2015.

Senior clergy and officials in both Lambeth Palace and Chichester have much work to do to set the record straight. It is not enough to admit they got the process wrong in judging Bishop Bell. The case against him was unsubstantiated and mishandled, and should never have been made public.

However, as long as the prevailing doctrine of “guilty until proven innocent” continues to be practised within the Church, it is hard to see how other serious miscarriages of justice will not occur in future – as indeed they already have.

Dr Ruth Hildebrandt Grayson Sheffield, South Yorkshire