THE ENTIRE episcopate of the Catholic church in Scotland signed the open letter to the Queen from Scottish church leaders last week criticising the Government for refusing open debate on Cruise missiles.
All the bishops of the Episcopal Church of Scotland also signed the letter, which was delivered to the Queen at Balmoral Castle on September 22.
In an unprecedented break with tradition, the Queen allowed the original letter to be received within Balmoral Castle, apparently in recognition of the standing of the signatories, and in appreciation of the gravity of the matters they were concerned with.
On Monday a copy of the letter was delivered to 10 Downing Street. Other copies have been sent to all MPs and members of the House of Lords.
The letter, reported to be the most outspoken statement ever made by Church leaders in Scotland, criticised the Government for refusing open debate the deployment of Cruise missiles.