A historic declaration of friendship between the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Catholic Church in Scotland has been signed in Edinburgh, in the spirit of working even more closely together in future.

The ‘Saint Ninian Declaration’ supports a deepening relationship between the two Christian traditions, making greater co-operation possible while acknowledging that there are differences between the two denominations.

The declaration was signed by the Most Revd Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Archbishop Leo Cushley on behalf of the Conference of Bishops of the Catholic Church in Scotland.

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.

Primus 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.’

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.

‘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.’

For several years, the Scottish Episcopal and Catholic churches have been actively engaged in the work of the International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM), which seeks to foster closer co-operation between the Anglican and Roman Catholic traditions. This declaration, signed on Saint Ninian’s Day, is a further sign that the two Christian traditions are actively seeking a mutual relationship established in faith in which they can be witnesses to Christian Unity.

Supported by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity in Rome and the Anglican Communion Office, IARCCUM has implemented a network of Bishop Pairs in particular countries, one Anglican and one Roman Catholic in each pair, with a view to encouraging meeting together and promoting shared mission. The Bishop Pair for Scotland are the Rt Reverend Ian Paton, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane (Anglican) and the Most Revd Hugh Gilbert, OSB, Bishop of Aberdeen (Catholic).

Find out more about the Saint Ninian Declaration here.

Find out about IARCCUM and the Anglican-Roman Catholic Bishop Pairs here.