Thank you for reporting the gathering at the Global Retreat Centre about silence (August 3), of which I was co-chairman.

Lest it sound self-indulgent, could I explain that those invited were peace activists, working in areas of conflict, and people working to help the poor, for example in the slums of Brazil.

The aim was to discover from them where they find the energy and spiritual resources to persist in such demanding work, so that others can learn from their example.

The Rev MARCUS BRAYBROOKE, President of the World Congress of Faiths, Courtiers Green, Clifton Hampden