A CLERGYMAN has chosen the approach of Lent to launch an attack on the national Press, urging his congregation not to take everything they read in the papers as gospel.

The Reverend Richard Cooper writes in this month's edition of his parish magazine that Christians will soon be deciding what they should give up.

The rector of St Mary's, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, writes: "What about giving up accepting without question all the criticism and negative publicity that the media puts out about the Church?''

He said he was particularly angered by coverage in the national papers before Christmas of the new Services of Common Worship, which makes more use of everyday English. Some newspapers had suggested public resistance to the new Services had led to falling congregations.

The vicar is convinced articles and leader columns were slanted to give a false impression that they were responsible for a sharp decline in church attendance.

He said: "Here in Richmond, we have seen a rise in the congregation recently - but I still find myself defending the Church against misleading reports in the national media.

"The Church of England is a soft target - as are many institutions - but, today, one of the interesting things is that the Church is answering back."

Mr Cooper does acknowledge that the Press has a role to play in modern society.

"It's not that the media is deliberately irresponsible - it's more the speed at which it works."

The topic will be discussed at an open forum organised by churches of all denominations at Richmond Town Hall this spring.

l Mike Amos, The Northern Echo's specialist writer and North-East columnist of the year, will be among the speakers addressing the subject: The Media - Can It Be Trusted With The Truth? from 7pm on Wednesday, March 7. An admission fee of £3 includes a meal before the debate begins