From Mr Philip Corbett
Sir: I agree with Damian Thompson that it is a good thing for the Church of England to promote the 'big players'. It is worth noting, however, that they are all theologians. The top three clerics in the Church of England have only 11 years' parish experience between them — and those 11 years all belong to Archbishop David Hope. While I welcome the appointment of Tom Wright to Durham, I wonder whether his work on the figure of the historical Jesus will get people into the pews of the diocese of Durham. It is one of the fastest shrinking dioceses in the country, and it requires clergy who understand the needs of the parishes under their care and the day-today lives and struggles of their parish
ioners. Yes, let's get the big players into the episcopate, but at least they should have some parochial experience as well.
Philip Corbett St Andrews, Fife
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