CLIFFORD LONGLEY says (Column, 13 November) “that the [1980] National Pastoral Congress has all but vanished. No Catholic website carries the text online” and asks why it has been forgotten. Could the fact that Vatican minds were closed to its findings be one reason for the lukewarm response by the Church in England and Wales to Pope Francis’ initiative now?

I recall those exciting days as a youngish enthusiastic priest. Our diocese lead by Bishop Worlock fully entered into the spirit of renewal as hundreds of our parishioners came together, spoke passionately and planned further gatherings. Over the years that followed fewer and fewer of these good people, who had given many hours of their spare time, attended the follow-ups. Yes, “a door had been slammed on our fingers”.

Our diocese has painstakingly put together a 100-page document, “A Thousand Voices”. These are the views, hopes and fears of the lay people of our diocese. I have compared these comments with those made 40 years ago (I don’t dispose of such important documents). The contents are 95 per cent the same.