Violent assaults on clergy and burglaries from churches have caused many clergymen, particularly those with families, to steer clear of urban diocese, the archbishop told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

His comments follow the publication of research which shows that vicars stand more chance of being threatened or assaulted than police officers.

Have urban areas become no go territory for the clergy? What can be done to improve the situation? Send us your comments and experiences.

This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

Your reaction:

Assaults against our clergy are assaults against all that is good. We hear about assaults and muggings on ordinary people each day. Perhaps our schools are failing to teach simple things like good manners, decency, and a respect and thoughtfulness for our fellow man. We would all benefit if they did. At the other end perhaps if our law makers would make any form of violence a serious crime and deal with it appropriately. The problem seems to be these people know nothing much will happen to them even in the unlikely event they are actually caught.
Charles, Derby, UK

I praise the priests for the job they do, but it is a community issue Chandira, USA

I am truly sorry to read that this is happening. But I feel if people really felt the Living Presence of God in the churches more strongly, it wouldn't happen. I feel worship and prayer is the key. Fill the churches with prayer, re-establish them as holy places in the way the energy of true devotion really fills a place. When a place is truly Holy, anyone can tangibly feel it. I praise the priests for the job they do, but it is a community issue. Encourage prayer vigils, devotional occasions, burn incense, etc... Make church a place where all people DO there is praise God!!
Chandira, USA

I don't follow any particular religion, but I do recall the instruction "go into the world and make disciples of all men", not "go into the safer gated communities and have coffee with the middle classes". I agree with Squiz - if an area is "too dangerous" for vicars why is it OK for the rest of us? Why can't we have some law and order - we pay enough in taxes to expect it.
John B, UK

Would anyone really miss these well intentioned (maybe), but misguided, vicars. What we need is a realistic religion that helps us all live together without pushing superstitious mumbo jumbo.
Andy Brown, UK

A dreadful sign of the times Wendy, UK

This is a dreadful sign of the times - usually in the most depraved of areas, men and women of the cloth have sanctuary from violence and crime. It is nothing to do with persecution, however.
Wendy, UK

If certain urban areas are too dangerous for vicars then they are too dangerous for us too. The Church should name and shame these areas and the police forces that have responsibility for them, and make them clamp down on crime for the benefit of us all.
Squiz, Islington

I agree with Squiz. The Church of England could add its powerful voice to the campaign to help law enforcement in the inner cities. For too long these areas have faced the scourge of drug dealers, prostitutes and worse. Add this to poor living conditions and you have a rich mix of social problems. Only by locking up the worst offenders can society help the vast majority of people in these areas. The Church of England would be well placed to help with that renaissance.
Robin Sinclair, England

If the Church wants to be a part of modern society, it has to respond to its needs Melanie, UK

I am not a religious person, but I think for those that value their religion and want to remain devoted to it, the Church should maintain its presence everywhere, dangerous towns or not. Perhaps clergy people can view this as part of their challenge of bringing their religion and beliefs to 21st century Britain - they should embrace it as part of their responsibility to their following who will always want and need them. But those organising diocese and churches in more dangerous areas should not send clergy people in unprepared- they must accept that there is a special situation requiring special training and education, and this should be provided beforehand. If the Church wants to be a part of modern society, it has to respond to its needs.
Melanie, UK

Try being a teacher in these areas.
Garry H, England

The Church and the vicarage are readily identifiable, and this brings the unwanted attention of burglars Stephen, UK

Many members clergy are often the only "professionals" actually living in such dangerous areas, so it is to them that people needing help tend to go after hours. The Church and the vicarage are readily identifiable, and this also brings the unwanted attention of burglars and of those who have a grudge against society. A priest is of course called to be bold in making the gospel heard, but does this really require them to bear the brunt of society's failure to address the problems of inner cities? It would be a different matter if every professional was required to live in the area for which they are responsible. We might see Britain transformed within a very short space of time.
Stephen, UK

I think people are just fed up with the 'holier than thou' posture by all the main religions which seems to be accompanied by a generally low standard of morals and ethics. I cannot think of a force that has caused more brutality and abuse and has done more harm to the progress of mankind than religion.
K Budden, England

All Christians should be ready to face persecution in whatever form it takes Francois Joubert, UK

It seems that many going "into the Church" do so thinking of it as a career where one takes into account location, benefits, etc in much the same way one would when entering secular employment. I am strongly of the opinion that full-time ministry in the Church is a calling not a career. Also, all Christians should be ready to face persecution in whatever form it takes. I am not suggesting all clergy look to be martyrs in some way, but would urge them to consider their motivations for entering full-time ministry in the Church. As an active member of my local church operating in an inner-city environment, I am aware that at some point I may be targeted for violence given my visible involvement and the fact that I live near our church. As Christians we are not meant to live in fear but in boldness as the Spirit of Christ enables us.
Francois Joubert, UK

It doesn't seem like much of a calling if the fear of violence is too great. Can we imagine Peter or Paul saying "no, I'm afraid that I'll get burgled?" The modern churches bear little resemblance to what we read about in the Acts. Perhaps that is the problem.
Simon Richardson, UK

However dangerous it is, we can't turn away from proclaiming the Gospel.
Sean, UK

Vicars, as I understand it, devote their lives to God. So isn't it a great honour to enter the inner cities and spread the word of God where it is most needed? Vicars, God-fearing individuals by definition, should not fear for their lives because their destiny and protection is in God's hands.
Shauna, Norwich, UK

I don't believe that Jesus would have thought of abandoning the disenfranchised, despite the conditions. Inner city areas are just crying out for the gospel of Jesus to give them hope, new values, and a sense of self worth and respect. If the church abandons them then who else is there?
Trevor Wick, england

If the media's frequent reports about the clergy are to be believed, it is the vicars who are dangerous rather than their territory.
Christopher Hunter, England