Divorce and the Bishops

From The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia

Divorce and the Bishops is a letter written by Arthur Conan Doyle first published in the Daily Mail on 15 november 1918.


Divorce and the Bishops

Daily Mail (15 november 1918, p. 2)

From Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

To the Editor of The Daily Mail.

Sir, — The bishops have lived up to the highest tradition of their order by killing the Bill by which five years' desertion becomes a cause for divorce. Their votes will take their place in history beside those which they recorded against the Reform Bill of 1832, against Catholic emancipation, against the removal of the civil liabilities of the Jews, and against free education.

The unfortunate people affected are a small minority, but there is a side to the question which may affect us all. Many of these people are desperate at the injustice done them since the Royal Commission reported in their favour. They form a class who are filled with a most justifiable hatred of the law and of established institutions. Whether it is wise in these perilous days to allow such a class to continue to nurse a grievance which embitters their whole lives is a question which concerns the public very closely.

As to the Church itself, their record in this and other matters will soon come up for national judgment.

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE, President
Divorce Law Reform Union.
Windlesham, Crowborough, Sussex.