‘Our churches are precious sanctuaries in this materialistic and cruel world’

• SO, Albert Beale considers religion “silly” and George Curley is an unbeliever (Letters, December 3).

I assume neither will be celebrating Christmas. Since they are not church attenders they are ignorant of the need or the role of the Church.

In fact, we are a Christian country and without the faith many schools, hospitals and social housing would never have been built. Silly? I don’t think so.

Churches have also been at the forefront of homeless shelter provision and food banks for many years.

These material signs of our faith are sustained by prayer and this is why we are asking for our churches to be open.

I have been told “you can pray at home” often. Of course I can and do.

I cannot, at home, receive the Eucharist, nor can I pray as effectively as in our church which has a peace and tranquillity that comes from years of worship.

Our churches are precious sanctuaries in this materialistic and cruel world.

The Eucharist sustains us and without the sacrifice of the Mass we cannot do all of those “seen” things that people value.

The power of prayer is not to be understated. It transforms and changes all for the better. Lester May thinks this “unbelievable” (Letters, December 3). In fact, it is miraculous.

ANNE CARGILL
Belmont Street, NW1