Divorced clergy
Sir: With the greatest respect to A. N. Wilson (Letters, 7 March), his conclusions do not follow from his premises. It may be true that Our Saviour forbad divorce; it is no logical consequence of this proposition that in admitting divorced men into the ranks of its clergy the Church of England is revoking either Christ's teaching or its own principles. That Jesus enjoined us to ab- jure both envy and malice Christians of every persuasion must agree. Yet not only is the Church's ministry filled by men both envious and malicious, but the participa- tion of those thus afflicted in our common human frailty arguably makes of them better, more compassionate priests as a result. It is not perfection which God requires of his ministers but faith. In electing to admit divorced men into its ministry the Church is exercising no sen- timental laxity but the Christ-like preroga- tive of mercy.
Robert Fraser
Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey
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