THE paralysis in the Winchester Diocese continues with news that the six-week 'stepping back' of the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev Tim Dakin will now go on until the end of August.

So an unprecedented schism in the Church of England between the bishop and a large number of his priests is to carry on through the summer.

The issue surrounds the way the bishop has managed the diocese over the last 11 years with an emphasis on 'mission' work and an alleged disregard and ignorance of the needs of the parishes.

The bishop is seemingly being allowed more time for contemplation over his future. To put it bluntly: how much time does he need? By the end of August this awful state of affairs will have gone on for more than three months.

The diocese is in a state of limbo. Much diocesan business is paralysed, certainly all the important decisions. A wall of silence surrounds the issue. Thousands of church-goers are being treated with contempt.

It would appear that lawyers are deeply involved which always slows things down.

This should not be allowed to continue.