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Scots appear to scuttle plans for a united church
2002-006-3
1/11/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
Ambitious plans to create a united church in Scotland have met fierce opposition and may be abandoned.
After five years of talks, the Scottish Churches Initiative for Union developed a plan to merge the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church, Methodists and the United Reformed Church, forming teams of ministers and laity to serve 'maxi-parishes.' A grassroots consultation, conducted by the Church of Scotland, revealed an overwhelmingly negative reaction to the proposals.
Proponents now face the choice of either admitting defeat or pressing on with the talks, knowing that final proposals could not be implemented. Opposition centers on the belief that the introduction of bishops is anathema to the Presbyterian principle that all clergy are equal.
Others argue that the plans would also severely diminish the role and authority of elders who, according to church law, have parity with clergy.
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