THE Rev D G Griffin blames the liberal leadership for the Church of England's demise and consequently, its financial shortfall (You Say, June 7).

I think the church's demise started long before the issues of women ordination and homosexuals appeared over the horizon. These issues were merely the last straws for some Anglicans.

Here in Worcester, the parishes of St Mary, St Nicholas, St Swithin, St Helen and St Alban were deconsecrated and four more were demolished, presumably due to lack of churchgoers.

Recently, when England played against Argentina and Nigeria, it was reported that a fifth of the nation's workforce took time off to watch the game. How many churches - if any - can attract that size of audience on a Sunday service?

With regards to his suggestions for Worcester Cathedral - should it suffer the same fate as the aforementioned churches - I would prefer the Cathedral to become a mosque, because a car showroom lacks spiritually.

L SPITERI, Worcester.