Posted Thursday 26 June 2008
Eleven Christian church leaders and representatives accepted the Scottish Government's invitation to meet at Holyrood on 19 June as part of the 'National Conversation' on choosing Scotland's future. After a day of reflection, the following statement was agreed:
"We recognise that the Church is on a journey as well as our nation; all of us are going to struggle to get to where we need to be. But for the Church, as well as for our nation and our communities, we aspire towards these Christian values characterising our common life in Scotland:
- A nation that is shaped by the principles of love for God and for all human beings;
- A nation that promotes dignity and justice for all;
- A nation that promotes faithfulness in personal and community relationships;
- A nation that demonstrates compassion and care for the weak and the marginalised;
- A society in which the voices of all can be heard;
- A people who are less concerned with their own welfare and more concerned for the well-being of others;
- A nation that strives for excellence and in which all can experience life in all its fullness;
- A nation that welcomes the unique contribution of those who are making the new Scotland;
- A state that promotes the well-being of all its citizens without exceeding its authority.
For us, these values are rooted in Jesus and have distinctively shaped Scotland's story as it has developed over the years; where they are lived and practised, we find they resonate with people of other faiths and of none.
Having shared together in a day of reflection as part of the national conversation on Scotland's future, we will therefore encourage all who are part of our churches to get involved in the conversations about our constitutional future, seeing these aspirations and hopes as the context for the debate."
The statement was issued on behalf of:
- Associated Presbyterian Church - Rev Archie McPhail, Clerk of Presbytery
- Baptist Union of Scotland - Rev Bill Slack, Director General
- Congregational Federation - Rev Malcolm Muir, Chair, Cong. Federation Scotland
- Church of Scotland - Rev Ian Galloway, Convener, Church & Society Council
- Methodist Church - Dr Bill Reid, Connexional Officer
- Religious Society of Friends - Pamala McDougall, Ecumenical Friend
- Roman Catholic Church - His Eminence Keith Patrick O’Brien, Cardinal
- Salvation Army - Major Robert McIntyre, Scotland Secretary
- Scottish Episcopal Church - Most Rev Dr Idris Jones, Primus
- United Free Church - Dr D Macdonald, Moderator of the General Assembly
- United Reformed Church - Rev John Humphreys, Moderator of the Synod of Scotland
Unable to attend due to illness:
- Free Church of Scotland - Rev David Robertson, Editor ‘Monthly Record’
