WHILE it was a pity your report on York Council for Voluntary Services' AGM focussed only on the row over values (September 28), members of the executive committee of the CVS only have themselves to blame. They seem to be influenced by a narrow secularism which has no room for ethical traditions and has persisted in a misleading view of the nature of moral values.

I was saddened to hear Jean Hall speaking against my resolution, giving the same reasons put forward by the vice chair over a year ago and apparently unaware that they contradict the teachings of the faith community of which she is also a member.

The Christian ethical tradition affirms that moral values are not simply personal matters but are also shared principles that provide the basis for our social, political and voluntary action.

The CVS represents a plurality of religious and secular traditions. It has therefore a unique opportunity to draw on these traditions in studying the relevance of moral values in the formation of its aims and policies and the direction and prioritising of its work.

The CVS has made it clear that it has no intention of seriously consulting the affiliated organisations about aims and values. They also consider it a waste of time to study the role of values in the formation of policy although the Charity Commission say they are free to do so.

Rather than indulging in what they regard as navel-gazing they intend to pursue a mindless pragmatism instead, regardless of what many of their members may think.

Revd Peter Duncan,

Windsor Drive,

Haxby, York.

Updated: 10:47 Friday, October 05, 2001