Sir, Further to your report “Hinduism is no bar to job as priest in Church of England” (Sept 8), last summer the Bishop of Ely, Dr Anthony Russell, renewed the Rev David Hart’s “permission to officiate” in the diocese. This means that he was given the bishop’s approval to preach or take a service in a parish church only at the invitation of an incumbent. Such approval is given only after appropriate checks are made.
There is some surprise in the diocese that Mr Hart failed to make any mention of his conversion to Hinduism when making his application for renewal. His permission to officiate is being reconsidered.
May I reassure your readers that Mr Hart does not hold any post and is not a licensed priest within the Diocese of Ely.
CANON OWEN SPENCER-THOMAS
Director of Communications
Diocese of Ely
Cambridge