Archbishop slams 'secular' approach

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Most Rev Vincent Nichols said social and community cohesion would not be achieved without recognising the role of faith.

"I think there are very serious issues that we need to address and they are precisely about how the motivation of faith, which is crucially important to a large majority of people in this country, how that is used as a motivator and incentive in the public sector," Archbishop Nichols said.

"Because I think if we, as it were, banish that depth of humanity which is inspired by faith, then our public services become commercialised, purely and simply."

He added that perhaps the most "bizarre" example of this was the suggestion that care offered by grandparents in looking after their grandchildren might be "quantified and priced".

He said: "I understand the reason for that - it is an attempt to say this is a very important part of society.

"But we are human beings and human beings work best when their best motives are energised and that means the motivation of faith.

"So I think there is a very serious issue for us to address, that putting it very crudely, real social, community cohesion will not be achieved on an aggressively secular model."

The remarks made by the 63-year-old, who has been Archbishop of Birmingham since 2000, came after he admitted "mixed emotions" about taking up his new role, saying that he was "daunted" by the task that lies ahead of him.

He told the news conference he had "swallowed hard" when he was told that he was Pope Benedict's choice for the key post.