Letter: A prayer for understanding
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.GERALD KAUFMAN'S excellent profile of Alistair Cooke ("The voice of liberal America", 15 November) quotes him as saying "I try to write a form of English which can be, as the Bible says, 'understanded of the people'".
Quite right too, except that it is not in the Bible. It is a part of Article XXIV of the 39 Articles of Religion in the Book of Common Prayer, which reads: "It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the Primitive Church, to have a publick Prayer in the Church, or to minister the Sacraments in a tongue not understanded of the people."
Those sentiments may be explained by the Articles having been "agreed upon by the archbishops and bishops ... and the whole clergy, in ... 1562". Queen Elizabeth's Church of England was anxious not to use Latin, as had been used by Queen Mary's Catholic Church. The declaration by King James I, prefacing those Articles, clearly says "Me too".
Clergy should take note, as should journalists.
SIR REGINALD E W HARLAND
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments