Your answers

A student plans to spend time in China, but is concerned about the validity of the sacraments there, since the dissolving of the Anglican Church there in the 1950s. What can I advise him?

In 1986, we worshipped with the Shanghai Community Church. One of our hosts proudly showed us his English Bible, a prize awarded him by St John’s University, which he had kept safe through the Cultural Revolution. He announced: “Once I was an Anglican; now I am everything!”

A Christian visitor today should value the graceful privilege of worshipping with post-denominational Christians who have kept the faith alive through the Bible-burning years of oppression.

(Canon) Christopher Hall
Deddington, Oxfordshire

Could some householders still be expected to pay for chancel repairs? Is it still wise to insure against such a risk? [Answers, 25 September]

When I bought my house last year, instead of a chancel-repair-liability search, my solicitor arranged insurance against any future claim. This covers the house, not the current owner, and lasts indefinitely.

The search would have cost £18, the insurance £12. I fear that your last correspondent’s solicitor, if he or she charged a “hefty fee”, saw him coming!

Stephen Hogg
Settle, North Yorkshire

Your questions

In the NRSV translation of Matthew 9.2 it does not actually say that the paralysed man was being taken to Jesus. Is this truer to the original than other translations? J. P.

Was it common practice to place this extra seating (below) at the end of every pew? I have never come across this previously. T. R.

Address for answers and more questions: Out of the Question, Church Times, 3rd floor, Invicta House, 108-114 Golden lane, London EC1Y 0TG.

questions@churchtimes.co.uk