Madam, I must admit that I was somewhat taken aback by Mrs Herriot's recent response to Mrs Smith's letter. I felt that I needed to respond but found myself, for once, lost for words and was pleased to find that this week's letters from Heather Lovett and Neville Fowler say all that I wanted to say.

Free speech and freedom of public debate, within the law, are privileges that we must respect and protect.I have quite strong opinions on women bishops and same sex marriages and I am inclined to think that they find agreement with the majority of people in this country. Despite Mick Conroy's carefully chosen reading from Galatians, I am yet to be convinced that either of these topics is supported by the Bible and what the Church has taught us over the years.

The accepted church service makes the main reason for marriage quite clear. Same sex couples cannot achieve this. I was particularly pleased that all your correspondents used the term "same sex marriage" rather than the widely used term "gay marriage". Marriages should be happy events but gay? No!

Michael Field, Ross-on-Wye.