Ecumenical service controversy 22/12/11
By Bill Lucas
The presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) has criticised a Lewis Free Church minister for taking part in what has been described as an "ecumenical service" along with an Roman Catholic priest.
The Continuing has written to the Western Isles Free Church Presbytery expressing their 'sadness and concern' about the involvement of the Rev James Maciver of Knock Free Church.
When the issue was raised at the November meeting of the FC Presbytery, Mr Maciver, who is Moderator of the Free Church General Assembly, explained that he had agreed to take part in the service which was to be broadcast on Christmas Eve. He had suggested to BBC Alba that it should not be advertised as an "ecumenical service."
There were to be a number of items by local groups and choirs. He had been asked to give a four minute talk, the priest was to read a prayer, and the Church of Scotland minister would be reading from the Scripture. It was recorded in Martin's Memorial Church of Scotland in Stornoway on December 3.
Mr Maciver told the Presbytery that he did not regard it as compromising his theological position or that of the church. It was an opportunity to present the real meaning of Christmas although only in a small time frame of 4 to 5 minutes. He could bring the message to thousands of Roman Catholics and others. He had not been asked to conduct a service.
The Free Church (Continuing) said it was concerned at Rev Maciver’s participation in the event and noted he was involved “in a similar service in October at the opening of this year's Mod.
'We respectfully point out that such joint acts of worship, in which the unresolved
controversy between Protestantism and Rome concerning the gospel is laid aside and
a servant of Antichrist is treated as though he were a fellow-
'We urge you for the sake of the Lord's cause to take appropriate action regarding these events and ensure that they are not repeated.”
The FC Presbytery noted the letter.