Archbishop of Canterbury to join historic debate with Church of Scotland

The Archbishop of Canterbury will be the first head of the Church of England to join a debate at the Church of Scotland's General Assembly on Wednesday.

Archbishop Justin Welby will address the Church's ruling body on a key report that proposes formal links between the two Churches.

The agreement, known as the Columba Declaration, was passed at the Church of England's synod in February but is yet to be ratified north of the border. If passed, the Columba Declaration would allow clergy to minister in the other's churches, and would formalise an agreement to move "towards fuller communion".

The former moderator of the Church of Scotland, Angus Morrison, said he was "confident" the Assembly would pass the Declaration.

"In itself the Declaration is largely of a symbolic nature but it does pave the way for our further growth in fellowship and for extending partnership in mission as sister and national churches who share many common roots, challenges and opportunities," he said.

"We wish this to happen in the closest possible fellowship with other sister churches in the United Kingdom as we seek together to address the challenges of mission in our country today."

However the move is not without controversy. Although the Church of Scotland is the national Church of Scotland, as the CofE is in England, the CofE has existing links with another Scottish Church, the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC).

The SEC is already linked to the CofE in the Anglican Communion and is unhappy with the new agreement. A rift emerged after the SEC withdrew from discussions between the three Churches over the Declaration.

related articles
Online baptisms won\'t happen, says Church of Scotland
Online baptisms won't happen, says Church of Scotland

Online baptisms won't happen, says Church of Scotland

Church of Scotland to vote on priests in gay marriages

Church of Scotland to vote on priests in gay marriages

Church of Scotland votes in favour of ministers in gay marriages
Church of Scotland votes in favour of ministers in gay marriages

Church of Scotland votes in favour of ministers in gay marriages

Why the Church of Scotland\'s same-sex marriage fudge won\'t work
Why the Church of Scotland's same-sex marriage fudge won't work

Why the Church of Scotland's same-sex marriage fudge won't work

Church of Scotland reaffirms support of EU

Church of Scotland reaffirms support of EU

News
Catholic Church 'deeply distressed' by extreme abortion law proposals
Catholic Church 'deeply distressed' by extreme abortion law proposals

Britain already has the most extreme abortion laws in Europe.

Concerns mount as Scottish Parliament rejects safeguards to assisted suicide
Concerns mount as Scottish Parliament rejects safeguards to assisted suicide

Some 287 amendments will be examined in just three sessions.

Oppressed Christian in Pakistan charged with blasphemy
Oppressed Christian in Pakistan charged with blasphemy

A Christian in Pakistan with mental health issues has been arrested and charged under blasphemy, terrorism and sedition laws, sources said.