SIR - Alan Chapman seems unduly vexed by Tony Blair's move to Roman Catholicism.

After all, large chunks of the established Church hold to a similarly orthodox rite almost as "Catholic" as the Roman rite.

I am reminded that the State in the UK has persecuted non-believers, unorthodox believers and Catholics. Unitarians were denied their seats even if elected! Atheists also have faced discrimination.

The problem was resolved in Wales between the wars; in effect the state Church was privatised, back to its members.

Surely it is time to privatise the Anglican Church in England as in Wales and Scotland and break that anachronistic hold of patronage.

Tony Blair's faith is surely an issue that would have had no consequences had we disentangled the legacy of a state Church and separated faith and Government.

Coun Ralph Berry (Labour, Wibsey) City Hall, Bradford