The letter follows a similar intervention by the Anglican Church
Photo above – Leaders from six Scottish churches have written to peers and MPs about the ‘deeply disturbing’ consequences of the Internal Market Bill
“We are deeply disturbed that the United Kingdom Government has even considered the possibility of breaking international law” — leaders from six Scottish churches have hit out at MPs and peers over the Internal Market Bill, Kirsten Patterson reports in The National.
The Church of Scoltand, Roman Catholic Church and Scottish Episcopal Church have united in a joint plea over the controversial Brexit legislation.
They’re joined by the United Reform Church, the Methodist Church and the Quakers.
In a joint letter sent to UK lawmakers, they say proceeding with the bill would set a “disastrous precedent” and risks the devolution settlement.
The letter calls on MPs and peers to debate the issues raised and make representations to the Johnson administration.
It states: “The passing of this legislation by the United Kingdom parliament without the consent of the Scottish Parliament clearly strains the devolution settlement.
“The fracturing of an established relationship is in itself something to be regretted because it is vital that all levels of government work together in the interests of the communities we serve.”
The letter follows a similar intervention by the Anglican Church last month and goes on: “Some of us have met with church leaders from Ireland, both North and South, who have told us that they fear that the creation of a hard border on the island and between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, puts in peril the delicate peace which has been built on the Good Friday Agreement.
“Since that document was signed Irish Christians have worked together to build better relationships across the communities. Our brothers and sisters are deeply dismayed to think that so much of what has been done to heal the scars of past division will be torn apart by the re-establishing of frontiers. We wish to stand with them in their opposition to these divisive steps.”
It concludes: “We have deep reservations that the United Kingdom Parliament might pass a Bill for Royal Assent that would place Her Majesty the Queen in the difficult position of having to sign legislation which breaks international law.”
Report courtesy The National, a newspaper which supports an independent Scotland. Published November 3, 2020
House-of-Lords.jpg