THE PARISH COMES ALIVE
SIR,—Your reviewer of this book states, `The parish is dead,' and says that this is true of many parts of Britain. There are some who will agree and will blame the clergy, or otherwise the Church, and by Church they often mean the clergy.
The reason why many people do not go to church is self-importance, and they are so self-satisfied that they think they can do without God. They proceed to blame anyone but themselves because people stay away from church, and the clergy are always wrong. If, for example, a parish priest does not visit, he is wrong; if he does visit, then he is a nuisance.
We are told that one in 300 workers come to church, and I wonder how this figure has been obtained. For myself, I never analyse a congregation because I detest class distinctions. However, on be- ing challenged, I have realised that a number of workers do regularly attend my church, and I suspect that some of those who do not are victims of propaganda and have believed the oft-repeated story that such people have `no use' for the Church. It is surprising how much credulity exists in this intel- lectual age.
As to those who do not attend church, do they know why anyone should? Are they setting a great example of service to God? Are they known for generosity and high morals?
A great deal is expected of the parish clergy, but if some of their critics were willing to give 25 per cent. of what they demand of the clergy, many parishes would certainly come alive. If in the mean- time all the clergy have not the genius or publicity of Canon Southcott, a very great many are striving to do the work for which they were ordained, and realise that there are many faithful among the laity, even if they are not well advertised.—Yours faithfully,
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