Marching out of step beneath the red flag

From the Revd Paul Butler and others
Sir, - With reference to the Revd Steven Saxby's letter ( 27 May): yes, there are Catholic Socialists in the Church of England, and we are organised. Many readers may remember the Jubilee Group, a successor of the Guild of St Matthew, the Church Socialist League, and the Catholic Crusade. This has now ended, but a new group has been formed which includes some former Jubilee members and others.

The Society of Sacramental Socialists was formally set up in April 2005, and has lay and ordained members from around the country. A website, programme and literature will be available in the autumn. For more information contact: The Society of Sacramental Socialists, at the address below.
Paul Butler, Carrie Thompson, Andy Delmege
Co-chairs of the Society of Sacramental Socialists
c/o St Dunstan's Vicarage
5 Gramsci Way
London SE6 3HA

From Dr Andrew Bradstock
Sir, - I am surprised that the Revd Steven Saxby speaks so disparagingly of the Christian Socialist Movement, when our founding aims, reprinted in every issue of our magazine, appear so like the ones he seems to include within his term "theoretical Christian Socialism".

Perhaps where we differ from Mr Saxby is in our concern to see our vision of socialism remain not purely "theoretical", but impact on the real world of politics. Hence our decision some years ago, affirmed more recently, to affiliate to the Labour Party.

Confusingly, Mr Saxby calls for a "re-founding" of the Church Socialist League, which was begun by Christian Socialists of the time who wanted to work more closely with Keir Hardie and the Labour movement. Instead of trying to form a separate movement, Mr Saxby would be better advised to work with us in CSM in administering that "injection of Christian Socialism" within the Labour Party for which he calls. He - and other comrades - would be most welcome.
ANDREW BRADSTOCK
Director
Christian Socialist Movement
Westminster Central Hall
London SW1H 9NH