From Professor Nicholas Orme
Sir, - I read with pleasure Mr Southern's account (
17 August) of attending communion by extension, led by a Reader
while two priests were present in the congregation.
Provided that the Reader was
officiating legitimately, with the consent of the Bishop, the
incumbent, and the PCC, how wonderful that the incumbent was
willing to deploy him in this way, and that the priests were
willing to join the congregation for his service.
In doing so, they affirmed and
supported the Reader in his vocation, and made the point that
Reader ministry is not just one of last resort, when nobody better
is available, but something valuable and different in its own
right, just like the service of communion by extension.
NICHOLAS ORME (Lay Canon)
5 Lark Hill, Oxford OX2 7DR