Letter: Christian 2000

Sir: It appears that the BBC considers that the Archbishop of Canterbury leading prayers on television as we enter the third Christian millennium would be offensive to Christians in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland ("New Year row as Carey seeks prayers on TV", 17 May).

George Carey is not alone in calling for a moment of reflection at this unique moment in human history. It is not the Church of England which is "planning to distribute candles for people to light during the minute's silence, which would be accompanied by a prayer-like millennium resolution". That falls to the Lambeth Group, which includes church leaders from across the denominations within the UK.

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Basil Hume, and I represent widely different constituencies within the Christian tradition. Yet we have both publicly supported and called for George Carey to lead the nation in prayer as we enter a uniquely Christian commemoration.

The Rev JOEL EDWARDS

General Director

Evangelical Alliance UK

London SE11