The power house.

The New Archbishop of Canterbury was installed today.

Living in Canterbury I have very mixed feelings about the Church. This building is certainly impressive. No wonder mediaeval pilgrims were in awe.

I was brought up as C of E, although I am a Scot (my Mum was English). Long ago I lost my faith. Then I began to feel I'd been hoodwinked. Latterly I have become an evangelical atheist. Rationalists will agree with Phillip Larkin who described religion as; ..."that vast moth-eaten musical brocade, created to pretend we never die." But the Church of England is also a very powerful and conservative part of the establishment. Rooted deeply in the church are unshakable concepts such as inherited class, and a natural order in which the monarchy and the rulers dominate; we are not citizens, we are subjects; we are not free, we are a flock (like sheep who are tended, managed, patronised, and slaughtered).

This city (which, bears the name of city, but is really only a small town) lies sprawled at the foot of the cathedral. The cathedral is loved. Even I love it's grand architecture and fine masonry. But it is also the house of awesome power (brooding, carnivorous, steely).

The PM, the archbishop and Prince Charles were all here today.
I'm glad I missed them.