An offer from India

From A M Mathew SIR – During a recent visit to England I read about the closure of churches in Lancaster (Report, July 27). This was really shocking to me. I was bewildered at the state of Catholic Church in Britain.
I am from Kerala, India, where almost 23 per cent of people are Christians. The majority of them are Catholics. Bishops and priests in Kerala find it difficult to accommodate the ever-increasing number churchgoers. Parishes are divided and new churches are built regularly. Existing churches are enlarged to accommodate more people, especially the young.
Why is the Church in England getting weaker while the Church is flourishing in India? In England, and many parts of the western world, the Church functions as a business establishment. There is an official opening time and closing time. In contrast, churches in India are open from 5 am to 7 pm daily. Clergy are always approachable and do not wait for the faithful to come to them. Instead, they go in search of them.
I saw a massive old church converted into a bar in Scotland. It was indeed a painful sight. I hope the houses of God in England will not be sold to be converted into places to serve satan.
Dear bishops, please sell these churches to Catholics at discounted rate on condition that they start Catholicfriendly business establishments there. If you cannot find buyers in England, please look elsewhere. There are many rich Catholics in Kerala who can undertake such missions.
Yours faithfully, A M MATHEW By e-mail