Letter: The Archbishop of Canterbury's Easter message
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.Sir: It would be good if the debate about poverty could move beyond archiepiscopal wiggings and right- wing Tory knee-jerk. On the one hand, the Archbishop of Canterbury is endeavouring to close the door after the poverty horse has bolted; on the other, the Tory Christians display a sad ignorance of the theological reasons for a Christian commitment to the poor and the powerless.
The churches need to do more than make statements about poverty and taxation after unjust legislation has passed through Parliament, without the bishops attempting to amend it. The bishops are not equipped to read, or have read for them, all the relevant Bills. Therefore, they are not provided with well-thought-out amendments and properly backed with well-informed and factually accurate briefs. They should vote in the House of Lords (if necessary, as one block of 26 bishops) for justice for the poor and powerless from the perspective of Christianity. There have been several narrow votes that could have been tipped to the side of justice if the bishops were well organised.
They are now left bewailing the suffering of the poor in this country with no plans to use the very privileged opportunity they have to do something about it at the time the laws are being made.
Yours sincerely,
PAUL NICOLSON
Henley-on-Thames
4 April
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments