The Canonisation of John Ogilvy
The effect on ecumenism of the canonisation of the 17th century Jesuit priest, John Ogilvy, by the Roman Catholic Church, has been debated within the Church of Scotland because of an article by the editor of the Church of Scotland magazine “Life and Work”, in which he suggested that it would adversely effect church unity. The Editor rightly emphasised that what was at issue was the doctrine of Sainthood still held by the Roman Catholic Church as opposed to the Protestant belief in Christ as the only Mediator. The former Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Rev. James Matheson, immediately condemned the Editor’s outlook declaring: “He speaks for himself, not the Church.” The Moderator also said: “I am surprised at the suggestion that it will set back the progress of church unity to proceed with the canonisation.” Others supported the Editor’s stand, emphasising that the editorial represented the feelings of many people in the Church of Scotland and also reflected the position of the Church’s supreme and subordinate standards.
The controversy would be a blessing if it opened the eyes of the ministers and people in the Church of Scotland to the road along which their ecumenically-minded leaders are directing them.
Drink in Scotland
The Scottish Health Education Unit in a recent booklet has spoken out strongly on drink, warning that conditions are right in Scotland for excessive drinking. It states that there are strong social pressures to drink while sanctions against excessive drinking are inconsistent or non-existent. It refers to Hogmanay as a time when drunkenness is seen as an appropriate mode of behaviour and also to special events such as weddings as times when there is deliberate and sometimes large consumption of alcohol. The recent Blennerhassett Report on drinking and driving has also shown the direction in which things are moving in Scotland where drinking and driving prosecutions have doubled in seven years. In Parliament at the same time the Government’s Bill to ease Scotland’s licensing laws is being attacked as not liberal enough because it does not provide for Sabbath opening of public houses. Such a situation is surely tragic and is an indication of how far our nation has departed from the standards of God’s Word.
Illegitimacy
A preliminary report on Scotland’s statistics for 1975 by the Registrar General discloses that, while the birth rate fell by over 2,000 as against the previous year, the highest illegitimate rate for more than a century (of 9.3 per cent) was recorded. It is very clear that the permissiveness of the age has encouraged promiscuity especially among the young. The influences to which they are exposed from many quarters are conducive to loose living. What need there is that the Word of God might find a place in the homes and hearts of the people of our land again. Only then will the law of God be regarded and honoured and the corrupting influences of a debased age rejected. Sin will then be seen in its true light and temptations to adultery Joseph-like refused: “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God.” In that day the virtues of modesty and purity will not be so rare as they are today.