from Religion Media Centre
A Times comment piece has supported the Church of England, in the wake of a report which says “vicars are becoming an endangered species”. The article says when there is a failure to recruit and retain clergy “it would be fair to call this a national crisis, as an established church exists to serve all… The Church of England merits the good will of all who, even if not subscribing to its credo, recognise the essential humane and charitable impulse it serves”.
In The Telegraph, columnist Allison Pearson criticises the “crisis” in the CofE, citing the shortage of clergy, excessive bureaucracy, the merger of parishes and the £100m reparation for slavery fund. Vicars, she says “are part of the bedrock of our society, like so much else of value, they could easily disappear…. We may not be in regular communication with God, if we even knew what that meant, but we are grateful that there are vicars who do know and who are keeping the line open should we feel the need to be in touch with Him.”