Church of Scotland apologises for historic wrongs
The Church of Scotland has followed the Scottish Government’s lead and offered a “heartfelt and genuine apology for these historic wrongs, highlighted in the report and carried out in the name of the Church.”
An excerpt from The Independent reads:
“…the Reverend Tommy MacNeil, convener of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team of the Church of Scotland and Dr Mike Cantlay, convener of its Social Care Council said: “On behalf of the Church of Scotland, we offer a heartfelt and genuine apology for these historic wrongs, highlighted in the report and carried out in the name of the Church.”
They added: “We wish to say we stand in solidarity with those who suffered, and deeply regret the harm that came to them as a result of actions by the Church in the past.”
Their statement acknowledged that the Church of Scotland “tolerated discrimination and the use of derogatory language by its employees and members”
The men stressed: “We regret and are very sorry for the trauma that was inflicted on Gypsy Traveller communities, families and individuals by our Church.”