Readers respond to an article by Julian Coman on Andy Burnham’s faith and the influence of Catholic social teaching on his work Julian Coman’s article about Andy Burnham resonated with me, as I share his belief in compassion, social responsibility and concern for those who are struggling (Like Burnham, I was an altar boy. His Catholic upbringing is shaping the way he governs, 1 August). Where I differ is in the suggestion that these values are rooted primarily in Catholicism. I grew up in inner-city Manchester during the Thatcher years, in a low socioeconomic working-class community facing unemployment, poverty and drug misuse. My parents were not religious, but they instilled in me a humanist outlook based on empathy, fairness and our shared responsibilities to one another. Continue reading...