Churches sign declaration of friendship

Archbishop Cushley has signed an historic friendship agreement with the Scottish Episcopal Church.

The Saint Ninian Declaration between the Catholic Church in Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church supports a deepening relationship between the two denominations, making greater co-operation possible while acknowledging the differences between the two churches.

Credit: Andrew O’Brien

The declaration was signed by Archbishop Leo Cushley on behalf of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland and by the Most Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church (above).

Joint signings took place at Edinburgh’s two ‘St Mary’s’ cathedrals, first at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in York Place, and then at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Palmerston Place during Choral Evensong.

Both Bishops walked together through the city to St Mary's in Palmerston Place and were met en route by representatives of the Church of Scotland outside their offices in George Street, in a further strengthening of ecumenical relationships.

"May this moment encourage us to look outward, shoulder to shoulder, as friends and partners in mission.”

Archbishop Leo Cushley said: “This declaration is not only for us, but for the people of Scotland whom we are called to serve.

"By deepening the friendship, we strengthen our common witness to the Gospel in a world that longs for hope and reconciliation. True friendship does not demand uniformity, but grows through honesty, trust, and love.

Archbishop Leo Cushley the Most Rev Mark Strange walking to St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral.

“As we sign this declaration, we are saying to our people: let us walk together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let our unity in Christ be a sign of God’s love for all. May this moment encourage us to look outward, shoulder to shoulder, as friends and partners in mission.”

Bishop Mark Strange said: “We sign this declaration on the feast day of St Ninian remembering the saint who first carried the Gospel to this land.

“Through this act we in the Scottish Episcopal and Roman Catholic Churches are committing to walk forward together as friends, on the same journey of faith that Ninian started over a thousand years ago.

“It gives us an opportunity to focus on what we share, and to trust that Christ calls us all to listen, to learn, and to serve this land as descendants of Ninian, side by side.”

The Saint Ninian Declaration can be read here.

In recent years, Scotland’s three largest Christian denominations have strengthened their links through the Saint Andrew Declaration between the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and the St Margaret Declaration between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland.

Saint Ninian declaration to 'deepen friendship'

Archbishop Cushley will today (Tuesday 16 September) sign an historic declaration of friendship between the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Catholic Church in Scotland.

The Saint Ninian Declaration supports a deepening relationship between Episcopalians and Catholics in Scotland, encouraging both to work more closely together while acknowledging the distinct differences between the two churches.

The signing of the Declaration takes place in Edinburgh on the Feast of Saint Ninian.

Archbishop Cushley, Bishop President for Ecumenical Relations for the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, said: “This declaration is not only for us, but for the people of Scotland whom we are called to serve.

Archbishop Cushley speaking at the General Assembly of the Scottish Episcopalian Church in June.

"By deepening the friendship, we strengthen our common witness to the Gospel in a world that longs for hope and reconciliation.

"True friendship does not demand uniformity, but grows through honesty, trust, and love.

“When we sign this declaration, we are saying to our people: let us walk together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let our unity in Christ be a sign of God’s love for all.

"May this moment encourage us to look outward, shoulder to shoulder, as friends and partners in mission.”

The Most Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, will also sign the document.

He said: “We sign this declaration on the feast day of St Ninian remembering the saint who first carried the Gospel to this land.

“Christ calls us all to listen, to learn, and to serve this land as descendants of Ninian, side by side.”

“Through this act we in the Scottish Episcopal and Roman Catholic Churches are committing to walk forward together as friends, on the same journey of faith that Ninian started over a thousand years ago.

“It gives us an opportunity to focus on what we share, and to trust that Christ calls us all to listen, to learn, and to serve this land as descendants of Ninian, side by side.”

The signing

The first part of the signing will take place at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in York Place, and the second part at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Palmerston Place, both on 16 September.

The day will include a Symposium on the history of the relationship between the Catholic and Episcopal churches in Scotland, featuring academic experts.

That event will start at 2:00pm in St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral and the speakers are:

At 4:00pm, the Declaration will be signed by Archbishop Cushley and Bishop Strange.

The Archbishop and the Primus will then move on to an Evensong service at 5:30pm at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, where the second signing will take place.

The declaration follows the St Margaret Declaration of friendship between the Church of Scotland the Catholic Church in Scotland, signed in 2022.

All are welcome to attend the signings.

Q&A: My journey to the priesthood

Deacon David Edwardson, 65, a former Anglican clergyman, will be ordained to the holy priesthood this weekend. He tells us what brought him home to the Catholic church.

What are you most looking forward to in your ministry? 
Doing what I believe I am called to be. To preach, to teach and to celebrate the sacraments. I can think of no greater privilege than that. To walk with and alongside others on their Christian pilgrimage, to learn from them, to lean on them and to be leant on from time to time too. Priesthood is a stepping deeper into what it is to be human; walking the road with others.

What did you do before your journey to the priesthood?
I have taught biology in secondary school, been an Anglican priest for nearly 30 years and a School chaplain for 10 of those. I have lived and worked in France, latterly in the Archdiocese of Bourges.

Your favourite memory from your time as an Episcopalian clergyman?
My time as chaplain working with large numbers of young people, with their freshness, genuine interest and enthusiasm for life, the church and the world.

What drew you to the Catholic church?
It was most certainly God who drew me to the Catholic Church, who brought me ‘home’. Since my first encounter with Him it became clearer and clearer just what He wanted of me. The journey has been difficult and at times painful but always I have been conscious of His Spirit leading me.

At what point did you decide you wanted to become a Catholic priest?
I had known since an encounter with God earlier in my life that He wanted me as a priest. I could not articulate why for a long time and still it is difficult to do so but I just knew. As He led me into the Catholic Church it was as a priest.

Has anyone in particular inspired you in your journey to priesthood?
I have been privileged to meet many holy people lay and ordained over the years. Each in their own way, without perhaps realising it has shaped and formed me. To meet real faith and the love of God and His Church is humbling and inspiring. These people have shown me that serving as a priest is a very powerful witness to others and a way in which I can serve too.

What advice would you give to other men considering the priesthood?
Go for it. If Christ is calling you or you think you might be called by Him then respond to that call. It is not an easy path but a wonderful journey, a journey which is profound and well worth making. It is also a great joy and full of surprises! The will of God will not lead you where His Spirit won’t sustain you!

Who’s your favourite saint?
St Francis of Assisi. His utter abandonment and dedication, his hope and his commitment. His otherworldliness and love for all around his as God’s creation. His Christ-like vision.

David Edwardson will be ordained to the holy priesthood at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh at noon on Sunday 8 September. Read more about his journey to the priesthood in this article from the Scottish Catholic Observer, published in September.