A flickering lamp

I would agree with Archibald A Lawrie (Letters, 26 April) regarding the sad proposal to closure of so many of our beautiful and historic church buildings.

Divisions and squabbling within the Church of Scotland has driven our congregations elsewhere or reduced faith in the support of their Church. The Church of Scotland used to be a pillar of strength within our communities but no more; not even for weddings, christenings or funerals. We all await our fate with bated breath.

Fearn Abbey, close to Hill of Fearn in the north of Scotland, established in 1238, is the most northerly Premonstratensian foundation in Scotland and the oldest foundation in the UK still in continuous use for worship to this day. It is now under threat.

Known as “The Lamp of the North”, Fearn Abbey has been a shining beacon of the Christian faith in the north of Scotland for almost 800 years. The very first martyr of the Scottish Reformation, Patrick Hamilton, was in fact Abbot of Fearn Abbey. Patrick was burnt at the stake, age 24, in 1528 in St Andrews for revealing the truth in relation to the translation of the Bible.

The Church of Scotland cannot not make armchair decisions at 121 George Street without consideration to the damage caused over the years and, at least, consider the understanding of their responsibility to rural and scattered communities.

It was Patrick Hamilton who sparked the flame that lit the lamp of the Scottish Reformation of 1560. The light from the Lamp of Fearn Abbey may be flickering at this moment but must never die.

JEAN W CHEYNE Barbaraville, Highland