Posted Friday 13 November 2009
The Rt Rev Dr Bob Gillies, Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney, has visited the Scottish Parliament to meet with MSPs representing the North East of Scotland and the Northern Islands, including Nichol Stephen, Nanette Milne, Lewis Macdonald, Liam McArthur, Nigel Don Maureen Watt and Brian Adam.
The meeting, on Thursday 12 November, was hosted by Richard Baker, MSP and gave opportunity for a full and frank exchange of views on the issues surrounding minimum pricing of alcohol and the controversial use of heroin as a substitute to the methadone programme for drug addiction.
Bishop Gillies expressed his concerns to the MSPs on the issue of alcohol abuse and the devastating affects it has on local communities throughout Scotland; and reinforced his commitment to working with them in finding the best ways to reverse the culture of alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour in the north east and the northern islands.
Last week, Bishop Gillies publicly expressed his support for minimum pricing and supports the First Minister’s view that Scotland and its people need a ‘real, lasting, social and cultural change’ in the nation’s attitude to alcohol and says ‘there is much personal unhappiness fuelled by alcohol’. He is also concerned that ‘far too many people view each approaching weekend as an occasion to descend to a state where they are out of control and out of mind, making our city and town centres unpleasant, threatening and unwelcome places”’.
In commenting on the meeting with MSPs Bishop Gillies says ‘we had a good open discussion, especially regarding the forthcoming alcohol legislation and minimum pricing. It was encouraging to meet with a cross-section of MSPs and to hear their recognition of what churches can do in local communities, towns and cities.’
Category: Bishops, Dioceses, Aberdeen & Orkney, General
