Faith in Scotland 

Sir Tom Devine is Scotland’s greatest living historian and a “national treasure”, but I must take issue with him over his article, “Nationalists keep the faith” (20 May). 

Finding our voice 

With regard to the matter of congregations singing, (Letters, 27 May), the Catholic Church seems to have an attitude problem. 

The solution must surely be for parishes to take the ministry of music more seriously. To do music well requires expertise and commitment and, on the part of the parish, a willingness to spend money.

The church of Our Lady of Lourdes, in Thames Ditton (“Losing our voice”, 20 May) is circular in plan rather than rectangular, and this in general does not help the acoustics.

Developing doctrine 

Hooray for Sarah Maitland (20 May)! I thought this would never happen – that someone would point out that doctrine has developed since the beginning of the Church.

Anglican Orders 

I would like to take issue with Clifford Longley’s suggestion that the question of Anglican Orders was simply the “clash of two mutually exclusive systems between which no love was lost”, (“How cruel Christianity can be to its most faithful servants”, 27 May).

Shortage of priests 

Paul Donovan’s article (“Mixed message”, 20 May) raised good questions regarding encouraging vocations among those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Several years ago, when our priest was working elsewhere, services of Holy Communion and Liturgy were used during the week.

Once a Catholic

Peter Stanford tells us that the scriptwriter Jimmy McGovern (“Once a Catholic”, 20 May) says he has “lost his faith”.

Ascension Day 

Once a year, I become a member of the Church of England so that I can celebrate Ascension Day.