Sir, – I was very interested to read Nicholas Rhea’s article about Lincoln and its magnificent cathedral (DST, May 8).

However, although I am happy to accept its Catholic origins, I query his statement that it was built by and for Roman Catholics.

At that period, there was only one church in the West owing allegiance to Rome, so Lincoln Cathedral was built for all Christians living in the area served by the diocese of Lincoln – at that time a much larger area than the present diocese.

As far as I am aware, the term ‘Roman Catholic’ only came into existence at the time of the Reformation in the 16th century to differentiate between those who owed allegiance to Rome and the remainder of the followers of Jesus.

Since the word ‘catholic’, means ‘universal’, all members of the universal church are by definition ‘catholic’ and I for one, as an Anglican, am proud to acknowledge the catholic roots of my faith and the debt I owe to the undivided church.

Many of the old cathedrals in this country owe their existence to the monks, mostly Benedictines, who built them, so let us all Christians remember what St Benedict said: “Prefer nothing whatever to the love of Christ.”

CANON CHRISTOPHER WHITE Aske, Richmond.