Bishops need a boss as well as the Boss
SIR – Nicolas Bellord (Letter, March 13) asks me: “Do we want spiritual leaders or bureaucrats?” I would say that we need some spiritual leaders, certainly; bureaucrats are not so good. I do not see, though, how my view that bishops need more guidance and support from a “boss” is inconsistent with the desire that bishops should be spiritual leaders (or, indeed, with the desire that they should have a prayer life, and should go to Confession). Priests are not made less “spiritual” – or less attentive to the true “Boss” – by the fact that they owe an account of their ministry to their bishops. The responsibilities that bishops have are extraordinarily taxing. Why should they be without proper support and direction in exercising those responsibilities? Brian Dive Weybridge, Surrey
