Moderator Makes Plea for 'Restraint' after Referendum Results

                                                                                                                                               Friday, September 19 2014

THE Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has called for 'restraint' among the people of Scotland in the wake of the results of the Referendum on Independence.

With the 'no' campaign, seeking to remain part of the United Kingdom, securing the majority of votes, the Moderator, the Rt Rev John Chalmers, told the BBC that he was a minister first, followed by a Scot and his focus was healing the divisions caused by the political campaign.

He said: "It is in restraint that we will find the seed of reconciliation," he said.

He called for voters on either side of the campaign to take 'selfie' images of themselves together to promote unity.

Speaking later in the day, he emphasised the need to continue with the engagement the election had brought, with almost 85% of the electorate voting in the Referendum.

He said: "Today I particularly care about those who feel as if they are on the wrong side of this outcome.

"So, I expect those on the winning side to go out of their way to avoid triumphalism and to be inclusive in their plans for Scotland's future, and to take the time to assure those who are anxious, disappointed and down that they understand how they must feel. Today we must begin to stop thinking in terms of them and us - only us

"Let's take heart from the fact that the people of Scotland have shown in overwhelming numbers they are ready to discuss their future aspirations. Let's keep it that way and not hand the game back to the professional politicians to do it all for us."

The Church of Scotland is holding a special service of reconciliation at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh on Sunday. The leaders of the campaign have been invited to attend. Further details are available here

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