In defence of meddlesome priests

The British constitution is best understood as a dinner party. Imagine the key institutions of national life personified and sat around a table debating the issues of the day. True, as you and I picture this scene it is now a little late in the evening, the surroundings are worn and some hitherto unheard voices are beginning to loudly bark above the polite murmur of the older interlocutors. But the conversation carries on.

One of the longest-standing participants in this national conversation is the Church of England; indeed, perhaps only the Crown has been part of it for longer. The traditions of Toryism and liberalism are comparative newcomers, Labour even more so. The BBC and the NHS have barely graduated from the children’s table. Yes, her bishops occasionally come across as a hectoring maiden aunt, imposing unwelcome interjections on the younger guests, invariably blundering in with particular awkwardness when sex or money is mentioned – but the Church’s place at the table has long been assured.