N FOSTER (Citizen postbag, August 14) complained about the Bishop of Burnley and suggested that the church should practise what it preaches by selling its buildings and giving the proceeds to the poor, and in this way follow Our Lord's teaching as it is intended.

One might reply by asking when the writer of the letter last sold all he had and gave it to the poor, but this would be churlish. It is easy to find fault with others without thinking things out enough first.

Unlike the correspondent, there are some people who appreciate that by doing as he suggests we would throw the baby out with the bath water and lose some of the most important parts of our heritage as well as our faith.

I was also reminded of St Augustine of Hippo's words: "It is easy to want things from the Lord and yet not want the Lord Himself; as if the gift could ever be preferable to the giver."

And also some words of Jesus: "Let the one who is without fault amongst you throw the first stone."

Perhaps the correspondent is without fault and therefore feels justified in throwing stones at the Bishop.

Bill Bates

Reader, St Mark's Burnley

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