Kirk and Catholic Church strengthen ties
PDF The Kirk and Scottish Catholic Church are enjoying improved relations, which members of the General Assembly consider to be the best in 20 years, writes Craig Brown.
Very Rev Sheilagh Kesting
The two faiths, historically divided along sectarian lines, have taken what the Kirk has described as “a monumental step in inter-church links” by creating a “joint-liturgy” for the reaffirmation of baptismal vows.
As a result, Scotland has the first Protestant church in the world to form such a bond with the Catholic Church. The two churches will also join together to mark the 450th anniversary of the Reformation later this year.
The Kirk’s Committee on Ecumenical Relations, which fosters links with other churches, said such a document “could not have been written 20 years ago” and it was the fruit of long-term discussions, debates and the creation of “deep friendships” between the two bodies.
Former moderator and secretary of the committee the Very Rev Sheilagh Kesting said the agreement was a spur to greater bonds. “When we come across difficult issues, such as some of the ethical issues that are around just now, they become part of the agenda that we discuss, rather than becoming blocks.”
Ms Kesting said the decision to hold a joint ceremony in St Giles’ Cathedral, in Edinburgh this year to mark the 450th anniversary of the Reformation – which saw the creation of the Presbyterian Church when it split from the Catholic Church – was a public statement of the strength of their relationship.
Peter Kearney, a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: “This is a significant and seminal moment in Scottish church history.
“While the emphasis in the Catholic Church is more about commemorating the event, rather than celebrating, it is still a moment in history that had an impact that must be debated and discussed.
“We should not be afraid to tackle it, and we very much want to be involved in the debate about what happened 450 years ago.”
Mr Kearney said that, while there were differences between the two churches, worshippers from both denominations were “part of the body of Christ”.
• Full story at The Scotsman.
