Clergymen win fight against church closures
TWO Glasgow clergymen who led a campaign against the closure of churches have told of their joy after a judge ruled in their favour.
Reverend Dr William Philip, senior minister at the Tron Church on Bath Street, and St Alphonsus’s Canon Tom White say places of worship must never be closed again to protect the “spiritual needs” of society.
Judge Lord Braid yesterday found the Scottish Government regulations were unlawful as they disproportionately interfered with the freedom of religion secured in the European Convention on Human Rights.
It came after nearly 30 Christian leaders from across Scotland launched the legal bid, although this was not endorsed by the likes of the Church of Scotland or the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Speaking after the verdict, Canon White said: “I’m overjoyed to hear that the court has understood the essential need to protect not only the physical and material health of our society but also its spiritual needs and therefore overturned the disproportionate, unnecessary and now deemed illegal blanket ban on public worship.”
Rev Dr Philip added: “However well intentioned, criminalising corporate worship has been both damaging and dangerous for Scotland, and must never happen again.”
Judge Lord Braid said: “It is impossible to measure the effect of those restrictions on those who hold religious beliefs.
“It goes beyond mere loss of companionship and an inability to attend a lunch club.
“The fact that the regulations are backed by criminal sanctions is also a relevant consideration.”
A further hearing will now take place so potential remedies can be discussed.