From the Revd Alwyn H. G. Jones
Sir, - The rumour machine is grinding
away about the choice of the next Archbishop of Canterbury, and we
hope that fervent prayer is being offered. The fact that the Bishop
of Durham has not been in episcopal orders a year was thought to be
a disadvantage.
We should remember that Basil Hume was
a priest when appointed to Westminster, and today few question his
outstanding ministry. St Ambrose was not baptised when he was
elected Bishop of Milan, but I doubt if the net will be cast as
wide on this occasion.
ALWYN H. G. JONES
1 Upper York St
Bristol BS2 8 NT
From Canon Ian Lovett
Sir, - I am sure that I ought to know,
after many years of meandering through the confines of the Church
of England, but it escapes me now: why it is that I am unable
actually to cast my vote for the appointment of an archdeacon,
bishop, or indeed archbishop.
IAN LOVETT
The Rectory, Fore Street
Northam
Devon EX39 1AW
From Canon John Goodchild
Sir, - The Anglican Communion is a
free association, and the Archbishop of Canterbury has no
extra-provincial powers. The Lambeth Conference is for fellowship,
not regulation, and should make no resolutions or statements. If
some bishops boycott the invitation to common prayer and study,
they discredit only themselves. It may be sad, but it is their
problem, not Canterbury's.
Canterbury should not waste time
trying to devise covenants or other wheezes to keep unwilling
partners together. He should relate to overseas bishops as a fellow
bishop, earthed in his own diocese, which should benefit from his
wider contacts.
JOHN GOODCHILD
39 St Michael's Road
Aigburth, Liverpool L17 7AN