From Dr. Michael Bell
Sir: Far abler pens than mine will be able to discuss the pros and cons for the establishment of the Church of England. I agree with you that it seems absurd and illogical that a non-Anglican prime minister should have the authority to appoint a new Archbishop of Canterbury. I would, however, take issue with YOU over the last sentence in your article (April 6). To say that the Anglican Church has declined during Archbishop Ramsey's time is, I feel, both unfair and ungracious. To assess any one individual's contribution to his church, his country and the world in general is notoriously difficult, especially within the confines of his profession. In the case of a priest, which is what Archbishop Ramsey has always claimed himself primarily to be. is almost impossible.
It is easy to measure the decline of the Anglican Church in terms of figures — a continuing drop in the number of Confirmation candidates and Communicant members — but better, surely, to have fewer fully committed and active candidates and members, than to have larger numbers who, having taken their various promises and vows, disappear from active church participation within the next year. It has been my experience over the last few years to find many parishes up and down the country very much alive, and, even more important, much of the life being provided by young people or young couples with their children. What 1 have said does not include the work of the Anglican Church overseas, which Archbishop Michael has been so assidious in visiting and encouraging. Nor does it consider the work that he has done towards making the possibility of Christian Unity more of a reality — possibly one of his major contributions to the future of the Anglican Church.
Finally, I cannot accept your statement that "far too much of the original sense of mission has departed from the Church of England in recent years." A tremendous lot is going on, and much of it initiated during Archbishop Ramsey's years of office. The work that he has done may well not bear fruit for some years to come, but, to me, the future of the Church of England is both alive and encouraging.
Michael Bell Beech House, Front Street, Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne
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