Letter: Church and state
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: I see no reason why the monarch cannot have the same relationship with the English church as with the Scottish, the one Anglican and the other Presbyterian, both established. Similarly the title of papal origin, Defender of the Faith, has been used by Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran monarchs and could happily continue unchanged, as could the quasi-liturgical ceremonies of the royal year.
Andreas Whittam Smith is surely on the best ground in calling into question the use of the prerogative powers of the Crown by the Prime Minister and government of the day. Any number of people in crowns, decorations and ermine and armies of people walking backwards will do us very little harm, and maybe some good, but the exercise of these powers is, to say the least, dangerous and open to abuse.
The Rev MICHAEL THOMPSON
Stamford, Lincolnshire
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments