Minister warns Christianity ‘marginalised’ after school cancels Easter service
A KIRK minister has claimed Christianity is being sidelined after his local primary school cancelled its Easter service.
James Munro, of Ullapool Parish Church, was due to speak at a special assembly next month to mark the traditional holiday.
However, the service was dropped by Ullapool Primary School after headteacher Eva Faber claimed it clashed with other events.
Mr Munro said that, in nearly 40 years in the Church, he had never heard of a school not holding an Easter service.
In a letter to his local newspaper, The Ullapool News, he added: “Teachers are very busy folks, we all agree on that. However, how strange that the regular, traditional Easter assembly for young folks will not take place this year.
“Many in the church think that the Easter narrative is a central aspect of our faith. To cancel such a gathering for a school could be regarded as yet another example of marginalisation of the Christian way.”
Ullapool Primary is a non-denominational school with Gaelic and English classes in a community with strong Free Church of Scotland and Church of Scotland traditions.
Most schools in Scotland are understood to mark Easter and Christmas but with the amount of religious observance varying, depending on local decisions.
Mr Munro had been due to attend the assembly with a counterpart from the Episcopalian Church.
He added: “I wonder if the parents and family members of local children in Ullapool and surrounds are relaxed on this omission.
“Atheists and secularists may wish to see Christian practice and teaching restricted or banned in our schools but let us not neglect the many who value the Christian way as being full of merit and character building.”
Ms Faber had written to Mr Munro to inform him the service was being cancelled.
She said: “Unfortunately, several events have arisen in the last week that are immoveable and, together with the fact that I will be away that week, mean it is going to be impossible to work around them.”