Letter: Establishment

Sir: The Rev Peter Mullen (Religious notes, 16 February) claims that "Establishment is a pearl of great price." He seems to have forgotten that the Church of England was only "established" because Henry VIII wanted to get rid of one of his many wives. It was then several hundred years before discrimination against Roman Catholics and nonconformists ceased. Now that the C of E is attended by only a minority of the population, "establishment" has no meaning except that there are loads of bishops in the House of Lords and Charles is not supposed to marry a Roman Catholic.

JOHN ASHWELL

Eastleigh, Hampshire