ANDREW Learmonth’s story about the death of Keith O’Brien talks about the “Last Cardinal of Scotland” (The National, March 20). Let’s hope that this is not the case, because an authoritative Christian voice is needed in Scotland in this age of burgeoning secularism. There is also much of our county’s history bound up with the post of cardinal.
Up until the 15th century the Scottish Church only had bishops, due to the claims of York to be in control of the Scottish Church. This finally came to an end when the Scottish Church was declared to be a “special daughter” of Rome. This remains the situation until this day. The independence of the Scottish Church went hand in hand with our political independence, with the Archbishops of York determined to exert control. Post-reformation the English dioceses had to produce new territorial names in order not to annoy the English establishment. No such problems existed in Scotland and the old territorial names were restored.
Once again there are signs that the English establishment are ignoring the Scottish Church, and Rome must appoint another cardinal as soon as possible.
Alan Clayton
Strachur, Argyll
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