The suggestion in your leader (“Bishops’ Blunder”, Feb 18) that the role of the church should be limited to “the soothing and saving of troubled souls” ignores the daily ministry of the Church of England across the country, often in partnership with local government, schools, universities, hospital trusts and other faiths. Research by the Church Urban Fund published last month found that 76 per cent of churches run activities in local schools, 66 per cent help to run food banks, 60 per cent offer parent and toddler groups and 53 per cent organise lunch clubs or drop-ins. A fifth of churches are also involved in helping credit unions in some way – a strong show of support for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s initiative.
It looks like the bishops have picked a fight with one side of British politics.