Bishop Devine to attend the General Assembly

May 15 2008

THE Right Rev Joseph Devine, Bishop of Motherwell, will represent the Scottish Catholic Bishops at this year’s General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

The assembly opens today (Thursday) and ends on May 21.

Bishop Devine said: “I am delighted to be joining the commissioners again this year. It offers me an opportunity to renew contact with many friends and associates from the Church’s parishes and presbyteries.

“But more importantly, the General Assembly sends a message to society that religious faith is not about an elitist group that simply asks to celebrate certain rituals in private. The Church exists for everyone and has a place as of right in the public domain.

He added: “While the press debate and politicians legislate on the great moral issues of the day, it is only the Church that can claim to exercise the special authority of God.

“That is something no political party manifesto can claim. That is the reason why Christ’s Church will never allow God to be excluded from community life and public legislation.

“And that is why the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland must continue to be felt as a presence in our land.”