Unity Declaration Signed Between Church of Scotland and Catholic Church

November 18, 2022310 views0

Unity Declaration Signed Between Church of Scotland and Catholic Church

2022-11-18T11:46:46+01:00

By Marie

The “St Margaret’s Declaration” was signed at Dunfermline Abbey in Fife on the 16th of November, 2022 by Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and Archbishop Leo Cushley, Catholic Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh.The document was also signed by the Princess Royal, Princess Anne who endorsed the historic friendship agreement between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland.The document was signed during a service at Dunfermline Abbey to mark its 950th anniversary on what is St Margaret’s Day.In his homily, Archbishop Cushley said, “The declaration is a consciously new approach to ecumenism, an attempt to reimagine the path towards Christian unity.“Instead of listing our problems and points of friction or grievance, old or new, the Declaration chooses to focus on what we have in common and underline that we treasure together, so much that is inspiring and ancient, profound and beautiful.“We stand shoulder to shoulder before an unbelieving world and we wish to respect each other, to be a support to each other, and to do all we can to achieve the unity that the Lord prayed for.”Dr Greenshields said, “I am deeply honoured and privileged to be one of the signatories of the St Margaret’s Declaration at Dunfermline Abbey in its 950th year and on St Margaret’s Day.“This new friendship agreement has been many years in the making and is aptly named after a Scottish Queen who was venerated for her missionary Christian faith and her kindness and generosity to poor people.“The declaration reflects the steadfast desire of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and the Church of Scotland to continue to journey together and to see the healing of division within our nation.“I would want people across Scottish society to look at this new relationship between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church and take away a powerful message – there is more that unites us than divides us as we strive to be an ever more united Christian voice in this land.”Addressing the congregation, the Princess Royal said, “This is St Margaret’s Day and it is an important St Margaret’s message of unity and friendship that we are also celebrating here.“I was honoured to be asked to be present today for the signing of the Declaration of Friendship between the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland and the Church of Scotland.“This formalises their close bonds of friendship.“We have been able to celebrate St Margaret today and I think her legacy has helped to bring us this declaration and I thank you all for that.“Once again, my congratulations on this significant anniversary for the abbey and for the city of Dunfermline but also underlining the importance of what you have signed up to today.”Princess Anne was among more than 300 guests in attendance from the local community, the Kirk, ecumenical partners, civic society and heritage organisations.ALSO READ King Charles III Reflects On Important Christian Values