Hankering for Bishops in the Kirk
Some in the Church of Scotland envy the high profile which the Roman Catholic Church enjoys in the Scottish media. Therefore, says the Very Rev Finlay Macdonald, the Kirk may need a recognised leader with a higher profile than the current moderator to speak out on major issues – a leader who would be the equivalent of a bishop.
Dr Macdonald, who is principal clerk to the General Assembly and was moderator two years ago, airs this view in his recently published book, Confidence in a Changing Church. “In time”, he says, “a similar development may arise at presbytery level and then we will have full-time national and regional leaders. If that day comes, then, effectively, we will have bishops.” We believe, if that day comes, it will lead also to the Romanising of the Kirk.
In 1957, a plan that the Church of Scotland should adopt bishops alarmed many in the Church because it betrayed the principles of the Reformation. It was eventually dropped. Last year’s General Assembly considered a plan for a merger between the Church of Scotland, Scottish Episcopal Church, United Reformed Church and Methodist Church in Scotland. The plan included “bishops” elected by regional church councils, but thankfully it too was rejected.
We hope that it will prove futile to resurrect further episcopal plans. More especially we pray that our national Church will return to the Scriptural and Reformed principles which were established when our nation was delivered at the Reformation from the darkness, superstition and corruption of Rome. “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jer 6:16). NMR