Cleric condemns Oxford dictionary for replacing words associated with religion and history
8 Jan 2009, 1650 Hrs

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London, Jan.8 A clergyman has criticized the publishers of a children's dictionary for removing words associated with religion and history, and replacing them with terms such as "celebrity" and "voicemail".

Reverend Canon Jeremy Haselock, the Vice-Dean of Norwich Cathedral, said the "ineffably sad" removal of traditional Christian words in favour of "grey" modern terminology left the Oxford Junior Dictionary "colourless and romance-free".

He is now urging people to use a glossary on the cathedral's website, which he states will be a "non-politically correct, non multicultural" antidote to the new book.

His comments come after The Sunday Telegraph disclosed that Oxford University Press has removed dozens of words linked to Christianity, the monarchy, British history and wildlife from its popular children's dictionary over the past five years.

Aisle, bishop, empire and monarch have all gone, along with willow, moss and fern.

In their place, the 6,000-word volume - aimed at readers aged seven and above - now includes terms that will be well known to most young people, such as blog, broadband, celebrity and MP3 player.

The move prompted complaints from academics and parents, and now the Church of England has added its voice to the chorus of disapproval.(ANI)

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