The growing chasm between the Church of England and its members
SIR – I am sick and tired of hearing from senior clergy in the Church of England about how it should pay reparations for its connections to the slave trade more than 200 years ago (Letters, March 9).
I am a regular churchgoer and chorister, and believe that any money available should be spent on repairing church roofs and paying those members of the clergy who currently give their time free of charge.
I would also like to see more acknowledgement of Britain’s work to end the slave trade, using its then powerful Navy to police the seas and prevent others from engaging in it.
John Frost
East Grinstead, West Sussex
SIR – Reading recent letters, one could be forgiven for concluding that the Church of England and the United Kingdom are experiencing a similar malaise.
Both suffer from a structure in which too many are paid without adding value, leaving too little money to ensure satisfactory function where it really matters.
David Proud
Lambourn, Berkshire
SIR – My condolences to Stella Herbert (Letters, March 9) on the death of her husband, an ordained priest since 1962.
She asked the Church – with its investment portfolio worth more than £8billion – for some help with care fees, but heard nothing.
What would Jesus have done ?
Pam Ellingham
Tyler’s Green, Buckinghamshire
SIR – I make a monthly donation to my old local church, but, given the profligacy of the Church of England, am now considering switching to a more worthy charity.
Rob Dorrell Bath, Somerset
SIR – While the Church retains significant influence, with dozens of bishops in the House of Lords and thousands of Church schools, mostly funded by the taxpayer, it is clearly in decline.
I am a lifelong member, and remain a strong adherent, but my doubts are growing.
The Archbishop of Canterbury needs to spend a lot more time considering how to tackle the challenges the Church faces today, rather than spending vast sums on reparations.
Ian Duckworth
Billington, Lancashire
SIR – The Church may owe a massive debt, but it is worth considering everything that it has given to the world.
Millions of people have benefited from its care – medical and humane – and education, both secular and religious.
Simon Watson
Petworth, West Sussex