Our society is the most divided for a generation

He felt it inappropriate that the programme, which enjoys a huge audience, should broadcast nearly three minutes of “uninterrupted religion”, given that rather more than half the population had no religion at all, and very few were practising Christians.

Now, that’s what I call a ‘double-whammy’ for bishops.

Still, we can all do with a reality check. And what better time than the New Year period? You’ll win no prizes for pointing out that the churches’ influence is on the wane. Some people will say that’s no bad thing, but I disagree.

As well as being a bishop, I’m a husband, a father and grandfather. I’m a part of this community. I’m a citizen of this world. I care what happens to my family, my friends, my neighbours, my community, my Church, my world. And there’s no disguising the fact that the world, just now, is a scary place for many.

Back in the late fifties or early sixties, a piece of graffiti scribbled on a wall struck a chord with people and even inspired a West End hit musical. It said, “Stop the world, I want to get off”.

I dare say that over the last 12 months lots of people have thought, “Stop the world, I want to get off”. Many have been struggling to make ends meet or to find well-paid work; we’ve had families in our Diocese displaced from their homes after the August flooding; pressure has continued to bear down on our creaking health and social care service; and, sadly, the suicide epidemic north and south has shown no sign of abating.