Bishop Peter Moran of Aberdeen has announced that after a thorough consultation, he has decided to keep the church of Sacred Heart, Torry, Aberdeen open. The presbytery house will be sold to provide funding for works needing to be done in the church and to improve parish facilities.

In a letter written to parishioners and friends of Sacred Heart, Torry, the Bishop of Aberdeen said: “Your church of the Sacred Heart will NOT be closed: indeed I plan to repair it and improve it.

“The Catholic community in Torry has proved that it is in good heart, both the small Scottish nucleus and the larger community of recent arrivals from Poland.  You have fought a good fight and shown your spirit.

“However, the financing of even the minimum repairs is a huge challenge.  After serious consideration of several proposed schemes, I have decided that we must sell the presbytery house.”

The Bishop concluded his letter by thanking all those who have contributed to the discussions, inside or outside the parish community. He concluded: “It has been a long and sometimes painful process, and some of you may still feel disappointed.  I ask you to rally round my decision, to look ahead positively, and to play your part in revitalising the parish of Sacred Heart.”

Last August Bishop Peter Moran spoke personally to a meeting of parishioners at Sacred Heart Church, Torry to tell them that advice he had received pointed to closure of the church building and said that alternative premises had already been identified in nearby Scottish Episcopal Church buildings.