Parish pests
Sir: May I draw to the attention of Ruth Rees (`My sexually turbulent priest', 5 October) that the species she calls 'priest- hunters' are not unknown in the Anglican communion? It may be that they are even more daring than their sisters whose antics she has witnessed. Many brother clergy will share the experience of being cornered at a social gathering by one whose pastoral needs develop a sudden intensity, exclusive of all others present. This applies in partic- ular to the parson's wife who is defied when she suggests that it may be time to leave, retrieve the baby-sitter from the children or just not be late for another appointment. In such situations the reasonable demands of the marriage bond are as nothing to the claims of such a huntress. Perhaps all that can be said in such situations is that what is clearly forbidden has a particularly exquisite attraction, and the hunted can only be on their guard.
Preston Candover, Basingstoke, Hampshire
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