Church Backs EU Membership

Monday February 22

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has stated the church’s position that the country would be better off staying in the European Union (EU).

As campaigning for a June 23 referendum on whether the UK should leave the EU gets underway, the Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison said that continued membership of the organisation symbolises ‘real progress and hope’ for the future.

Dr Morrison, who is visiting the Scottish Parliament for a range of engagements this week, also called for a positive debate promoting ‘peace, security and international co-operation’.

The General Assembly set the pro-EU policy in 1996 and it was reaffirmed in 2014.

Dr Morrison said: “With the date having now been announced for the referendum on membership of the European Union, it will be appropriate to call attention to the Church of Scotland’s position on this matter.

“The Church recognises that the decision taken will impact our country and communities for generations to come and we call for a positive debate on the European Union that takes account of its role in promoting peace, security and international cooperation.

“While each individual will reflect and come to their own decision with integrity, the Church of Scotland takes the position that in this time of enormous international challenge, it is better for us as a country to remain within the EU.”

He added: “It has never been more important for us to maintain a broad vision and to work internationally and globally, across national boundaries, as together we address the many serious and challenging issues of our time.

“This seems to us the way of real progress and of hope.”

Dr Morrison will deliver Time for Reflection in the Scottish Parliament debating chamber tomorrow (Tuesday) and will hold private talks with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, accompanied by National Youth Assembly Moderator Hannah Mary Goodlad, on Thursday.

Issues that will be discussed with the SNP leader include taxation, new powers for Holyrood, the refugee crisis, freedom of religion, mental health and the oil and gas crisis in the north-east. They’ll also consider the findings of the Church’s Speak Out consultation on ways to make Scotland a fairer country, which drew more than 10,000 responses.

During the week, the Moderator will also meet with Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie and Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie.

Dr Morrison said: “This will be an excellent opportunity to listen and to learn more about our political institutions and to engage in conversation about significant issues of the day.”

Also on Thursday, a reception will be held at the Parliament to showcase the work of the Church’s social care arm, CrossReach.

Comments

andy mcintyre - Monday, February 22nd, 2016

“Can i ask, when did the GA agree that this was the churches position?”

Rev Dr John Cameron - Friday, February 26th, 2016

“With four months to go the referendum is starting to look like a done deal for Remain because most people instinctively dislike the concept of divorce and leaps in the dark. The prime minister has a clear deal to sell whereas Brexit bangs on about immigration and sovereignty with unconvincing post-divorce models like Norway and Singapore. Remain has business backing and the next generation of party leaders while Brexit has too many oddballs like George Galloway or yesterday’s men like Bill Cash and David Owen. The fact is the polls show that the ability of even the most able Brexiters like Boris Johnson and Michael Gove to sway voters in the EU debate is dwarfed by David Cameron. ”

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