Father Crosbie is much needed

I write in response to your article in the edition of September 12 regarding the appointment of a chantry priest to the Lauderdale Aisle in St Mary"s Church, and wish to clarify any misconceptions.

The article stated that Father Crosbie"s appointment is believed to be a factor behind my recent departure from Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

Father Crosbie"s commendable appointment is not a cause for my leaving Holy Trinity, but rather one of the effects of my departure.

During my time as rector of Holy Trinity and guardian of the Chapel of Our Lady and the Three Kings in the Lauderdale Aisle, the worship and cycle of prayer in the chapel was maintained with rigour and devotion by myself and the faithful who attended regular mass there.

I considered this a necessary requirement in my duty as an Episcopalian priest. Before my appointment as rector, this practice had been sadly neglected. This seemed unfair to those who knelt in prayer in the place and disloyal to the generous and faithful Maitland family.

Father Crosbie will be maintaining a much-needed ministry in the place and his appointment will display the endurance of our traditional faith within a place that was built for worship to the glory of God. My prayers are with him and I hope you will support his work.

Father Paul Keown

Christ the King

Salfords, Surrey