Letter: Anglican flocks leaving the fold

Sir: Last November's General Synod decision, says the caption to a photograph accompanying Peter Stanford's article (22 April), 'may lead to the departure of 1,000 vicars'. What, no rectors? Nor any Anglican clerics in other roles or offices?

It is surprising to find Mr Stanford throughout his article committing the solecism, now almost universal among the ecclesiastically ignorant, and all too common in the media, that all Church of England clergy are 'vicars'. What has become of that ancient and honourable word 'parson'?

Yours faithfully,

RAY BLOOMFIELD

Diss, Norfolk

22 April