SIR – I recognise there’s a downside to popping bubbles of false hope, but George Cowley’s faith in the new leaders of the Anglican and Catholic churches (Worcester News, April 19) is misplaced.
There are better straws at which to grasp.
Victims’ group SNAP [Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests] denounced the new Pope’s few words on the sexual abuse crisis as “empty”, saying his actions thus far “rubbed salt into still festering wounds”.
He refuses to open secret files on abuse and himself stands accused of protecting accused priests in Argentina.
He’s described same-sex marriage as “a machination of the Father of Lies” (ie, Satan) and continues the Vatican crackdown on nuns in the United States (their heresy: they ignore the Vatican’s priorities of fighting gay rights and abortion, instead helping the poor).
Meanwhile, thenew Archbishopof Canterburyis hardening Anglicanhearts withhis oppositionto equal marriage andvarious pronouncementsunapproved bySynod. He’s taking charge all right,but it’s a conservative directionof travel at odds with themajorityof Christians in theUK.
So in my view, it’s the ordinary moral sense of most people – regardless of their religion or belief – that we should trust and nurture, not the hopeless leaders of these corrupt, decaying institutions.
BOB CHURCHILL
Bishampton
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here