Sir, A lot has been written and said recently about Pope Francis, the Catholic Church and the need for humility. So I was concerned to see that Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner wants him to use his influence to promote dialogue over the Falkland Islands (Courier, March 19).
The timing is unfortunate. In the same week that the new pontiff was elected by an obscure and secretive process, another vote was taking place in the south Atlantic.
The islanders voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to remain a British overseas territory.
Although the church has nearly a billion followers worldwide, that does not mean that they want to see the Vatican involved in international politics. In fact they are probably more concerned about how Pope Francis can help restore the church’s credibility in the wake of the child abuse scandals.
He has started on the right note by trying to promote an image of a quiet, simple lifestyle which tends to shun pomp and grandeur.
He would do well also to concentrate not just on making the institution and its clergy more accountable for their behaviour, he could insist that it adopts a less strident tone on private sexual morality and a more positive one in helping people seek consolation, encouragement and inspiration through religious belief.
Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.
Survey was misleading
Sir, I read with astonishment the article in The Courier March 19, that according to a recent survey the majority of Scots are in favour of wind farms. I then discovered that a very small percentage of people were asked (the figure quoted was more than a thousand).
I do not consider this number represents anywhere even close to a majority of the Scottish population. Do the people who are doing this have an ulterior motive for trying to persuade everyone to believe this survey?
I would suggest that hydro power would be a cheaper method both for the environment and the population.
June Reid. 12 Findhorn Street, Dundee.
Nothing to do councillors?
Sir, Whether it has been done with the best of intentions or not (Burger vans could face council ban, Courier, March 18), it seems that we really are living in a nanny state. Banning these vans may hinder kids from getting what they want to eat, but it won’t succeed in making them eat healthy options.
I find it slightly scary that councillors have the power to ban this and that, without even considering that they may be destroying someone’s livelihood.
I have no personal axe to grind, but it worries me that some of my tax money may be used to fight any legal challenge that this will, in all likelihood, involve.
At a time of austerity and local cuts, shocking road surfaces and job losses, do the good councillors not have better things to do with their time?
John Strachan. 23 Beechwood Avenue, Glenrothes.
Bellringers and beavers
Sir, I agree with David Gibbon, (letters, March, 19), when he states: “You should be ringing church bells for the return of beavers 400 years after they were hunted to extinction.”
I wonder who the “You” is that he refers to? The editor in person, or the readership in general?
Alas, without proper bellringing training, none of this will be possible and until then the beavers will have to make do with a less satisfactory welcome.
As a bellringer, I would hope that unlike the beavers we will not be hunted to extinction and that the ancient art of bellringing will continue to provide a celebratory noise for years to come.
This will only happen if sufficient numbers are available to maintain the sound of church bells which, I am sure, nobody would wish to disappear.
Whereas there is no current danger of extinction, recruits are always welcome at all bell towers, and anyone wishing to “have a go” may contact me at the address below. Accordingly may I respectfully suggest the “You” to whom Mr Gibbon refers could be himself, thus ensuring the beavers do receive the welcome they deserve.
Ronald Oliver. 4 Lethnot Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
Remove perk
Sir, I read The Courier article on the loss of parking for PRI staff (Perth nurses’ safety fears, March 19), and noted it is shift staff who will be penalised the most with the loss of parking facilities.
I bet the managers will still have their reserved bays. No doubt they will have set hours, mostly between 9am and 5pm, probably, and never start at 8am or finish after 10pm. Let them lose their perk of reserved parking and allocate the freed-up spaces to the shift staff.
Alastair Mclean. 4 Fletcher Place , Crieff.
Price too high
Sir, Just for the avoidance of doubt, a nation’s possession of weapons of mass destruction does not in any way justify the invasion of it.
And the death of one innocent child was too high a price to pay to get Saddam Hussein.
I have no idea why 10 years later we are still entertaining the lies with any sort of serious examination.
David McEwan Hill. Dalinlongart, Sandbank, Argyll.