Madam, – Your feature on parenting by priests (Healthplus, August 4th) accurately quotes the slightly quaint canon law of the Church of Ireland in relation to the families of clergy being themselves “wholesome examples . . . to the flock of Christ”.
It might be of interest to point out that a more recent and probably more significant document, namely the Ordination Service in the 2004 Book of Common Prayer, expresses the matter rather differently. Candidate priests are asked: "Will you strive to fashion your own life and your family relationships according to the way of Christ?". No longer are public expectations placed on the shoulders of other people who are not themselves being ordained at all, but priests are reasonably expected to conduct their relationships in a responsible and loving manner. As a parent of a young family myself, I am relieved to be able to put questions to others being ordained which I personally would feel comfortable in answering. – Yours, etc,