Many of us working in country parishes would welcome Simon Jenkins’ call for the “nationalisation” of rural church buildings (Opinion, 30 March). I held high hopes for the deliberations of the independent Taylor Review: Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals, on which Simon served and which, in the event, turned out to be the dampest of squibs. Something far more radical along the lines Simon advocates is required.

The Church of England has not adjusted organisationally to the changing times. Since I went to theological college in 1979, Sunday attendances have fallen by two-thirds. But the bureaucracy has not been reduced and so we still have the same number of bishops. Then on top of that, within dioceses the “head office” structure expands. So we get to the position where in Cornwall, the poorest county of England, the diocese takes on average 70% of the unrestricted income of parishes while the bureaucracy grows exponentially. (In London it is 20%.) Where once there was a diocesan secretary we now also have a deputy, four information officers, the list goes on.

If I can borrow Geoffrey Howe’s famous statement, as a rural rector: “It’s rather like sending our opening batsmen to the crease only for them to find that before the first ball is bowled, their bats have been broken by the team captain.” So, Simon, keep on sending the message, just louder and louder. You have friends inside the barricades.

Rev Peter C Bellenes

Rector of Duloe & Herodsfoot,

Harrowbarrow, Cornwall

• Neither the National Secular Society nor practically anyone else would wish the many Anglican architectural gems to fall into disrepair. The C of E is already examining their, generally limited, suitability for alternative use. But these repairs do not require a change of ownership or further austerity by raising taxes, as Simon Jenkins suggests. The C of E should use its own realisable assets, well in excess of £8bn even above parish level, to pay for maintenance.

Where modernisation is needed is disestablishment and particularly the removal of bishops from the House of Lords – Westminster is the only parliament in the world where bishops have seats as of right. And we would not have same-sex marriage if their impudent wrecking amendment in parliament had succeeded.

Keith Porteous Wood

President, National Secular Society

• What an intelligent and sane idea of Simon Jenkins. Although I eagerly look forward to railway renationalisation, that can wait while the urgent job of abandoned churches is tackled.

Syd Caplan

Criccieth, Gwynedd

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