The Church of England’s reparations muddle

SIR – It’s extraordinary that the Church Commissioners, who run the Church of England’s investments, failed to do their homework thoroughly prior to publication of their report arguing that reparations of £100million should be made for perceived wrongdoing regarding Queen Anne’s Bounty (“Is the Church paying reparations on a false premise?”, Comment, April 23).

Surely it is not too late to reassess, as these funds are needed to keep the Church on its feet in the here and now.

There is more than enough bureaucracy in the Church without recruiting “racial justice” officers. Our excellent vicar is dashing between five churches, one of which is almost certain to close after a mere 1,000 years, as we cannot afford to maintain it and keep it safe. Where is the justice in this?

Rosy Drohan Marksbury, Somerset

SIR – Charles Moore’s article on Queen Anne’s Bounty shows yet again how the ever-expanding hierarchy of the Church of England occupies its own private world, divorced from those who built it and sustain it today.

On April 17 1124, our village church,

St Kyneburgha of Castor, was consecrated by the Bishop of Lincoln, who must have travelled for days along the medieval roads of his vast diocese for the great occasion. Last week the church was packed with children and adults of all ages to recreate the event, exactly 900 years of worship later.

These days Peterborough Cathedral is 20 minutes away by car, but no modern bishop was available to join us. “Other commitments”, apparently. Norman Burden

Ailsworth, Cambridgeshire

SIR – There are 26 bishops in the House of Lords. I can think of no other failing organisation whose leadership is so well-represented in the legislature.

Might they consider returning to their dioceses and concentrating on the day job of supporting, preserving and enhancing the parishes under their supervision?

They have access, through the Church Commissioners, to £10billion with which to do that vital work, and, at least for the time being, a large and willing voluntary workforce to assist them.

Tim Reid

Mayfield, East Sussex