Bishop ignores his death threat

Bishop John said Christians and Muslims enjoy good relationships

The Bishop of Oxford has said he will not contact police over a death threat after he agreed "in principle" to a Muslim call-to-prayer in Oxford.

The Rt Revd John Pritchard responded positively to the idea of a broadcast from The Central Mosque in Manzil Way in an interview with a local newspaper.

After the January interview he received "hundreds of letters, e-mails and phone calls, both positive and negative".

Bishop John said he did not feel it necessary to involve the police.

Some of the comments were certainly unpleasant The Rt Revd John Pritchard

He added: "My interview with the Oxford Times in January elicited a huge response.

"At the extreme end some of the comments were certainly unpleasant, and I did receive a death threat.

"This is a subject that clearly touches a very sensitive nerve in British society.

"Obviously it is never pleasant being on the receiving end of abuse, but at no stage did I feel it necessary to involve the police.

"This sort of thing clearly comes from the extreme fringe.

"On the ground in Oxford, I am glad to say that Christians and Muslims enjoy good relationships, and I am in regular contact with leaders of other faiths."

The Central Mosque is one of four east Oxford mosques, attracting congregations of up to 700.