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Striking message

by
09 August 2013

iStock

From the Revd Christopher Miles

Sir, - Regarding the lightning damage to St Andrew's, Ramsbottom ( News, 26 July), the Team Rector says: "We are meeting for prayer to ask: What is the Lord saying to us through this? We have got to be as positive as possible."

I admire this approach. May I be so bold as to suggest one of the things that he may wish to say to the Church is: "My dearly beloved children, I forgive you for ignoring the technology that has been around for more than 250 years and has proved its value. Please, though, as a sign of your repentance, now fit a good-quality lightning-protection system. Don't believe the beguiling and disproven legend that lightning never strikes the same place twice."

Perhaps the Lord is also saying to many other churches: "Review your lightning protection."

CHRISTOPHER MILES
Lightning Protection Consultant for the dioceses of Rochester and Canterbury
2 Spa Close, Hadlow
Tonbridge, Kent TN11 0JX

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