Scotland’s Churches and faith communities have united to call for the role of religion to be recognised in Scottish society, whatever the constitutional future holds.
An Interfaith conference will take place at the Conforti Institute in Coatbridge this July. It is intended that the conference will help inform their responses to both the constitutional consultation and the wider political debate beyond the referendum. The conference will transcend political differences and any statements agreed will make no endorsement of either side in the referendum campaign.
At a recent Interfaith meeting in Scotland, it was agreed the Scottish Government’s intention to consult on a draft written constitution offers an important opportunity for faith communities to be heard. Those present at the meeting, including the Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrew’s, Dunkeld & Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, issued the following statement:
“Leaders from Scotland’s churches and faith communities are to discuss the place religion should have in any future written constitution proposed to the Scottish parliament. A draft constitution document is due to be released by the Scottish government this summer for consultation.
A faith conference will now be held to frame considered responses to the various issues surrounding religion and belief in the current referendum debate and society at large.
At a meeting, chaired by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, representatives of Scotland’s diverse faith traditions were united in the view that the contribution of faith to Scottish society should be properly recognised whatever the future holds. All the churches and faith communities present agreed Scotland’s diversity of religious belief is an important reflection of Scotland’s wider society.”
