These figures are remarkably similar to those os Admirals vs ships in the Royal Navy. In fact the same as the NHS, Police Force and government officialdom in general.

All as predicted by Cecil Northcote Parkinson in 1945.

Repeal Parkinson's Law !

BP Vallance, LEFKIMMI, Greece

It is not only the Bishops who get mixed up between what God intended and the pressure for change from some of the modernists, it is also the clergy in general who are in two camps. It is up to the people to read their Bible, pray and discern what God is saying and decide if they want to be CofE.

Len, Brussels, Belgium

Is not the perceived need for an increase in Bishops, and associated administration, somewhat of a reflection on the decline in caliber and ability of the average CoE clergy; and as the clergy go so, inevitably, do the bishops from whom they are selected.

Michael Robinson, Virginia, USA

Why doesn't this article go after any form of religion that isn't "on the ropes?" It's too easy to criticize the Church of England, why not choose the Muslims, Jews, or Hindus? Perhaps because it isn't as politically correct as criticizing Christians, a past-time of many a liberal "intellectual."

Brett, Leiden, Netherlands

The Church of Scotland ditched bishops centuries ago, and seem to have done quite nicely thank you without them...

N Patrick, Cambridge,

"The godfather of our anti-episcopal tradition is Milton."
Ever heard of John Knox?

stephen bull, fontes, france

There is no comparison to a bishop in Paul's time, to the ones of today.

Jerimiah 23 speaks clearly of the "shepherds of the flock" [Bishops]. Clearly, the problems of the church today is laid at the feet of the bishops.

Would we miss them if we got rid of them - not for a minute.

Richard Moriarty, Cheneyville, LA, USA

Contrary to the first assertion, TEP (shorthand for The Episcopal Church in the United Statess) is growing. It has lost a few members (less than a thousand) from dissident parishes, but over-all, attendance is up. And on another topic, the Presiding Bishop is widely popular here. Thanks be to God.

Bill, New York City, USA

Why stop with the bishops. Let's get rid of religion and this notion of a bearded wise guy up in the sky
performing magical miracles.

Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA

To Gordon Bowerman of Austria I would like all of the Europeans to take note of what is happening in the USA. The mainline Protestant liberal churches, including the Episcopal church, are in steep decline but the orthodox, conservative churches, including the catholics, are thriving and growing.

c rl , new orleans, USA

The whole thing is a nonsense. The mysterys of "Arcane Britain" are for Tourist England. and TV History series.
The Monarchy, the House of Lords, the C of E all bear as much relevance to modern England, yes I mean England, as thatched cottages or blast furnaces.
It really is time we woke up

Peter Bolt, Redditch, UK

Will bishops bring renewal to the church? No! It is and the Holy Spirit - if we let Him! Idolising bishops? Yes, that is a dangerous tendency that keeps many from focusing on the Lordship of Jesus. Newark inquires whether the Queen has been jettisoned. Jesus Christ should be head of the Church

David Sseppuuya, Kampala, Uganda

Anglicanism and Catholicism are growing, very quickly. In Latin and South America, Asia, (esp. China) growth dwarfs the decline in Western Europe. Europe's Enlightenment dichotomised faith and reason tore the sacred away from nature. Globally, this secularism is dying, not traditional Christianity.

Brian, Cashel, Ireland

As a member of the Episcopal Church in USofA nearly all of my 48years, I can safely conclude that the majority of our problems originated with and come from bishops. The best thing you could do for us is eliminate the position. I fail to see what they contribute, honestly.

Dan, Fairhope, USA

Actually, a careful reader of the Gospels would recognise that an organisation is needed. Paul wrote of the various offices needed. Bishop is one mentioned in the Scriptures (1Tim 3:1-2) Christ clearly delegated His authority unto specific officers, the author should have considered this.

AlexG, Loughborough, United Kingdom

As Billy Connolly said religion had its chance and messed it up.

Dwindling numbers at churches and scandal in the papers says it all really. The C of E and Catholic church are out of date and dying on their feet

Gordon Bowerman, kitzbuhel, Austria

Mr Hobson seems to be a liberal protestant who sees no need for a link with the apostolic Church. The result of the CofE aligning iteself to the 'spirit of the age' will be further fragmentation & decline. But there are certainly too many bishops & too much bureaucracy in the CofE.

Dave, Wrexham,

The appointment of John Sentenu to York was inspired, and makes one feel there is still some hope for the good old C of E. I pray that the next Archbishop of Canterbury will be an African, as the vibrant heart of the Anglican communion is now in Africa,

David Lewis, Bolton, UK

"perpetuating the impression that this religion is wedded to illiberalism."

Individual needs change with times. Religions and churches have to change accordingly.

"dwindling congregations with more holy bureaucrats to manage the decline."

Net result of inability to change with times.

Krishna R. Kumar, Udupi, India

The problems confronting all branches Christianity is largely self-inflicted by the clergy themselves. How many of the clergy actually believe the bible word for word? Very few one suspects. Trying to bring modernity to ancient beliefs is bound to bring problems with it.

Len, Perth, Australia

As an anti theist, this sounds like a good idea. Give it a try and if it doesn't work we could go back those fairies at the bottom of the garden or the Reverend Monty Python.

M Wilson, Bidache, france

It takes a very special kind of theological illiteracy to produce an article like this. It is the theological and philosophical categories of premodernity, not premodernity's powerful authoritarian Church, that inspires Anglo Catholic defenses of the episcopate.

Ben, Chicago, USA

hmmm... I don't like the religiuos winds wof these days, so I prefer tradition instead. Maybe when other better winds come, I will support a new organisation of the church but at this moment of complete confusion? nooooooo...

Jay Gatsby, Buenos Aires, Arg

But, really, isn't it still the Queen who should have something to say.....maybe or has she been jetisoned too.

Newark, Norwood, USA