The best way to help struggling rural parishes

sir – Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, now sees merit in prioritising financial support for our impoverished rural parish churches (report, May 12). As the new treasurer of a cherished 13th-century, Grade I* listed country church, I can confirm that a modest slice of the Church’s newly announced £3.6 billion funding would be gratefully received.

But such largesse is surely better delivered by reducing our daily burden. “Common Fund” diocesan payments and fixed church administration expenses – over which our parishioners have no say – outstrip our faithful congregation’s generous giving. We survive on volunteer fundraising events for building repairs, heating, lighting and the rest.

The Church should take less from the offertory plate. Its priority should be to provide space for worship and good works. Less reliance on pub quizzes and raffles to fix the leaking roof would be welcome.

Peter Hadley

Sherford, Devon