IN response to the letter about churches ('Christians should pay for upkeep', January 10), I have been led to believe the clergy get a wage for their job, so what happens to the exorbitant fees they charge for funerals and weddings?

This money shouldn't go into the clergyman's pocket but should go in to a central fund for building work required on churches, large or small, instead of getting out the begging bowls.

When my husband died, I was charged £80 for a canon from the Minster's time which was 20 minutes.

Why do the Archbishops of York and Canterbury have to live in a palace? This is archaic, the upkeep of such places must be exorbitant.

Like Mr Enticknap, I don't believe and do not attend church but I can see its shortfalls.

Mrs M Dale,

Highthorn Road, York.

Updated: 11:44 Friday, January 14, 2005