Lady Elish Angiolini has become the first practising Roman Catholic to represent His Majesty King Charles at the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly.
Speaking at the annual gathering in Edinburgh, she expressed hope that prejudice and sectarianism can be overcome by recognising that “we are all Jock Tamson’s bairns.”
Lady Elish said that all people are God’s creation and deserve “love, forgiveness and support” despite their imperfections.
Her appointment as Lord High Commissioner was only possible after both Houses of Parliament repealed a law dating back to 1689, which previously barred Roman Catholics from this role, marking a significant moment in Scotland’s religious history.
Reflecting on her journey, Lady Elish described the role as an “enormous honour” and spoke candidly about the historic divisions between Protestant and Catholic communities in Scotland, particularly during her youth. She noted that sectarian attitudes, often expressed in derision rather than faith, remain a challenge but believes they are diminishing over time.
She recalled moments of compassion in her life, including during the Ibrox disaster in 1971 and the Polmont rail crash in 1984, which demonstrated the essential love of humanity beyond religious or social divisions. Lady Elish also highlighted the significance of the 2022 St Margaret’s Declaration, which marked a historic friendship between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland.
The Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt Rev Rosie Frew, warmly welcomed Lady Elish, describing her appointment as a living testament to the spirit of that declaration.
First Minister John Swinney praised the Church of Scotland’s ongoing role in supporting vulnerable communities and said Lady Elish’s role signals a hopeful step towards greater community cohesion across Scotland.
