I WRITE in response to DBA's letter criticising Canon Williams' article. DBA makes a point that "The Lord Hates Divorce", this stance was made nearly 2,000 years ago when the implications of divorce were somewhat different that today.

A man could divorce a woman and she would be removed from his house and have no income or access to welfare, and in all probability spend the remainder of her life begging and slowly dying of starvation.

I suggest this was Jesus Christ's principal objection to divorce, as it was tantamount to murder. Divorce in this country nowadays is not a death sentence, but is instead a chance for a fresh start.

A second point is that "Our Lord went mad when the money lenders were in the Temple". Quite right too they were using the Church to impose ridiculous interest rates on the general public. The church as far as I know does not recommend its worshippers taking out loans at high interest rates from Church sponsored moneylenders, so the worshippers can donate money to the Church.

Since he was appointed as Vicar of Bolton, Canon Williams has impressed me with his integrity, intellect, kindness, honesty and the way he works.

I am sure that if DBA wished to discuss the points raised or any other points for that matter, Canon Williams would make time for a personal confidential logical calm discussion, or DBA could perhaps listen to one of his excellent sermons.

Kenneth G Jones

Dovedale Road, Bolton

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