Sir, With the year-on-year decline in regular attendance in the Church of England one might be forgiven for asking if ordinands really do continue to need the right to a second degree covering “a rigorous grounding in the complex of disciplines — linguistics, cultural, historical, ethical and philosophical — which make up theology” as the Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe suggests (letter, Jan 30). Time and money might be better spent in learning from the Church in those places where growth is taking place, and applying the lessons learnt.
Philip Johanson
International Secretary
Church Army International