Scotland: More than 30 Kirk ministers join Christian 'Yes' campaign

More than 30 Church of Scotland ministers have signed a declaration of support for Scottish independence. In their statement they say they believe a 'Yes' vote will create a more socially just Scotland and rid the country of nuclear weapons.

Former Church of Scotland moderator Dr Andrew McLellan called the Trident missile “the worst thing in Scotland”.

Dr McLellan said: “September 18 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to remove the worst thing in Scotland. Speaking against nuclear weapons is good, campaigning against nuclear weapons is good, and praying for their abolition is good. But what will change everything is voting ‘Yes’ in the referendum.”

Other signatories include Norman Shanks, former convener of the Kirk’s church and nation committee, and Ron Ferguson, former Herald columnist and retired minister of St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney.

The statement was co-ordinated by the pro-independence group Christians for Independence.

Convener Dave Thompson MSP said the group had been “overwhelmed” by the number of Church of Scotland ministers backing the “Yes” campaign.

A number of Catholics have also joined the ecumenical campaign, among them, Canon Peter McBride, Parish Priest of St Thomas Catholic Church, Riddrie, Glasgow who said he is voting yes because: "Westminster has proven it is irreformable. With government from Edinburgh, social reform and a more equitable distribution of resources and wealth is a distinct possibility. Vote with HOPE, not in FEAR."

Annemarie Gillan writes on the group's Facebook page: "As a practicing Roman Catholic I can see no other way to help the poorest and most vulnerable in society than voting YES....although the church cannot specifically tell us which way to vote...I am glad they are distributing a letter on the upcoming referendum!"

For more information see: www.facebook.com/ChristiansForIndependence

See also: ICN 29 August 2014 - Scotland: Archbishops urge people to vote in Referendum www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=25452