The Kirk closed four homes last year

Sir David Steel told the General Assembly that all Kirk members should make politicians aware of their anger.

He made the call in his closing speech at the assembly as Lord High Commissioner.

Lord Steel of Aikwood said he had been "duty bound to have no views on anything" for the last four years because of his position on impartiality within the parliament.

But having stood down at the 1 May election, he told the assembly: "No longer."

The members of the assembly had earlier heard how the Kirk's 30 care homes had run up a �5.7m deficit.

Every single member of this assembly has an opportunity, a responsibility, indeed a duty to do something about it Sir David Steel

The church has warned that some may have to close because of a lack of funds.

"The crisis in these care homes has become a national scandal," said Sir David.

He said that simply writing letters to the Scottish Executive or meeting Cosla, the body which represents most Scottish councils, was not enough.

"Every single member of this assembly has an opportunity, a responsibility, indeed a duty to do something about it," he said.

"You should contact your local councillor and own MSP on return and acquaint them with the facts.

"You should make sure that every member of your Kirk Session, your presbytery, your congregation, does likewise.

"And don't just write to them. Demand to see them, and if you do that, every elected representative in Scotland at council and parliamentary level could, within a few weeks, be made aware not just of the facts, but of our concern and even anger."