They may still be miles apart on issues such as the ordination of women, but when it comes to spirituality and liturgy the Catholic Church and the Church of England are drawing closer. And the admiration is evident on both sides: when Pope Benedict visited Britain in 2010, he and his Vatican entourage were thrilled by the liturgy of evensong at Westminster Abbey. Last year, the General Synod of the Church of England chose Fr Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the papal household, to give the sermon at the service in Westminster Abbey to mark the Synod’s opening. Now it emerges that the Archbishop of Canterbury turns to Catholic tradition for spiritual sustenance. According to journalist Andrew Brown, and Linda Woodhead, professor of the sociology of religion at the University of Lanc