Church of England agrees historic motion of unity with Presbytarian Church of Scotland at General Synod

The Church of England’s General Synod passed a historic motion of unity with the Presbyterian Church of Scotland at its three-day assembly this week.

The Columba Declaration was passed by members of the General Synod, who met this week in London, by 243 in favour to 50 against. There were 49 abstentions. The agreement commits the two Churches to “grow together in communion” and will allow clergy to worship and minister in each other’s churches.

The Rt Revd Dr Angus Morrison, who became the first serving Scottish Moderator to address the Church of England synod when he announced the Columba Declaration on Tuesday, said: “The strengthening of the bonds which already exist between us can only serve the advance of the Gospel, which is our united desire and aim.”

The Church of Scotland’s General Assembly will debate and vote on the declaration in May.

During the three-day assembly, the Church of England Synod was due to debate a motion saying blood and organ donation is a Christian duty and should be part of the “sacrificial offering” Christians are called to make.

“That ‘sacrificial offering’ is usually associated with time, money and gifts. But it applies just as much to the blood that flows in our veins and the organs that are such an intrinsic part of our bodies,” James Newcome, the Bishop of Carlisle, was due to argue.

The paper prepared for the synod highlights the work of “fleshandblood”, a Church campaign to raise awareness of organ donation.