‘We’ve got to do better’ says Moderator

THE Church of Scotland has urged political party leaders to redouble their efforts to tackle the country’s ‘appalling’ record on drugs deaths and suicide.

The Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly, held online meetings with MSPs in February to press them on what action is and will be taken.

A total of 1,264 people in Scotland died of drug misuse in 2019, a six per cent increase on the previous year.

In the same year there were 833 probable suicides in Scotland, up from 784 in 2018.

The Moderator also urged party leaders to recognise that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on vulnerable people in the most deprived communities.

Dr Fair held online meetings with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of the SNP, Douglas Ross of the Scottish Conservatives, Willie Rennie of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Patrick Harvie, co-convener of the Scottish Greens. (The Scottish Labour Party was going through leadership elections at the time, but the Church will seek a meeting with the new leader of the Scottish Labour Party in due course.)

He also spoke with Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh as part of the Moderator’s annual visit to the Scottish Parliament.

Speaking ahead of the meetings, Dr Fair said: “The Church is glad that the Scottish Government has worked with us closely throughout the pandemic to try and keep people safe.

“I am looking forward to discussing the many brilliant ways in which the Church has been involved in community cohesion and support efforts.

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“Given my own particular interests, I look forward to discussing how the parliament’s recent decision to declare a ‘mental health crisis’ can lead to meaningful action.

“I also want to ask the First Minister and party leaders about strategies to tackle Scotland’s appalling drugs deaths and suicide figures,” he said.

“Although I am the Moderator of the General Assembly, I’m first and foremost a parish minister and these subjects are ever before me in the lives of real people.

“We’ve got to do better.”

Other issues on the agenda include an independent review of adult social care –a topic that affects CrossReach, the operating name of the Church’s social care council, which provides services across the country.

The Church has not taken a position on Scottish independence but Dr Fair made it clear to MSPs that it wants to be an influential voice when it comes to debate about what kind of country Scotland could be.

With a presence in communities across the country, he said that congregations are well placed to play a role as ‘enablers of passionate and courteous discussion’.

The Church of Scotland engages with governments and parliamentarians on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of topics of mutual concern and to try and find a way to work together for the common good.

Dr Fair said he acknowledged that some people think religion and politics should be kept separate, but added that he does not share that view.

“The Church cares about people who are affected by every single decision made by politicians and political institutions in one way or another.

“It is our Christian duty, following the teachings of Jesus Christ, to give voice to the voiceless and stand up for the vulnerable and dispossessed.

“So, of course we’re interested and concerned about politics in the broadest sense, not party politics.” ¤