THE morning after the bombing of Coventry in 1940 a small group of people gathered in the smouldering ruins of the cathedral. It was then that Provost Howard said these words: “It will be rebuilt to the glory of God.”

The words spoken 70 years ago have resonated down the years and at the time gave much inspiration to the people of Coventry. Since that terrible night, when a beautiful medieval city met with wholesale destruction, I’ve often pondered on Provost Howard’s words; would they have a similar affect on our much-changed society?

Supposing in the present day a similar raid was launched resulting in the same destruction, would we be more concerned for our local supermarket than any religious building?

We still have our cathedrals offering historical and architectural significance, yet their religious influence is less.

With this spiritual decline, you might think a vacuum had been left, but this is not so. We have new cathedrals everywhere in the shape of the ubiquitous supermarket, and if you doubt my word take a look at their car parks every Sunday.

In the aftermath of any theoretical bombing raid I can imagine the local population not in their cathedral, but thronging the aisles of their supermarket in worship of the god of consumerism.

Derek Parker, Bishop Auckland.