The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church recently met with Deputy First Minister John Swinney as part of the project Meet your MSP set up recently by the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office (SCPO)

Bishop David said: “I was grateful for the opportunity of meeting Deputy First Minister John Swinney in Perth. Clergy and public representatives have different roles and functions – but they share a deep involvement with people of all kinds and with their hopes, concerns and aspirations.

“Our meeting allowed time for discussion of some immediate concerns. I was able to share something of the positive journey of the Scottish Episcopal Church in responding to the Scottish Government’s Same Sex Marriage provisions. John Swinney was very sensitive to the way in which faith communities are challenged in their internal unity by such matters.

“We also talked about the way in which faith communities respond to issues such as Scottish independence. Faith and identity often meet together within churches and other faith communities. Questions about Scottish independence have a significant impact on peoples’ understanding of who they are at the deepest level.”

Chloe Clemmons, SCPO Parliamentary Officer, said: “MSPs have the power to impact our lives in very significant ways and getting to know them early in their term in office is a great way to start a relationship that will hopefully be beneficial to both churches and MSPs for years to come.”

The SCPO project aims to reach all 129 MSPs and connect them with churches in their area.