25 APRIL 1981, Page 16

Episcopal rebuke

Sir: To Paul Johnson's vignettes of Bishops Mandell Creighton and Winnington Ingram (11 April) can perhaps be added one of an earlier Bishop of London, William Blomfield.

He had rebuked one of his clergy for certain ritual practices, and received a reply alleging that the practices in question had the authority of St. Ambrose. Blomfield replied: 'Sir, St Ambrose was not Bishop of London, and I am. Yours Truly, W. Londin.'

Cohn Brown 107 Cowley Hill, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire