Married rev, 54, quits over ‘close relationship’ with mum in mid-20s
Second scandal to rock Free Church in two months
A MARRIED minister has resigned over allegations he formed a ‘close relationship’ with another woman. The Reverend Chris MacRae, known as ‘Kiki’, was put on forced leave of absence three weeks ago amid rumours he was spending time with the wife of another man.
A source said the father of three had initially offered ‘pastoral support’ to the woman in her mid-20s, who we have chosen not to name, to help her through marital difficulties, but the relationship had then developed.
The 54-year-old resigned from his position at Kilmallie Free Church of Scotland, in Caol, near Fort William, Inverness-shire, late on Tuesday.
Mr MacRae was yesterday said to be ‘uncontactable’.
According to the church’s website, he lives with his wife, church administrator Anna, 49, and their three children Mairi, Donald and Sine.
The revelations come two months after the Reverend Dr Iain D Campbell, 53, also a member of the Free Church, took his own life on the Isle of Lewis following accusations that he had affairs with seven members of his congregation.
In a statement on the latest scandal, the Free Church of Scotland, based in Edinburgh, said: ‘We can confirm that the Presbytery of Inverness, Lochaber and Ross has accepted the resignation of Rev Chris MacRae.
‘An interim moderator has been appointed temporarily.’
Church leaders have so far refused to confirm the reasons for Mr MacRae’s departure.
A spokesman for the church added: ‘At the beginning of May, the presbytery became aware of allegations relating to one of our ministers.
‘Presbytery is aware of the stress and hurt such rumours can have on the congregation, so we have set up a small group to provide pastoral support and guidance.’
Mr MacRae, a keen motorbiker, has been in the position since 2004 and is highly regarded locally. He was brought up on the Isle of Harris but spent most of his summer holidays in Fort William, only two miles from the village of Caol. Before studying theology at the Free Church in Edinburgh, he spent 17 years on the police staff in the town.
A source said his appointment had been successful until the woman approached him for support following troubles with her marriage. The mother has been criticised by locals for spending time at Mr MacRae’s manse while his wife was out working.
A source said: ‘He is a very good minister, the people in the community hold him in high regard.
‘I’m sure there are a lot of grey areas in this situation but when it comes down to it, he’s a minister and what he is doing is wrong.’
The woman’s husband denied any affair when approached.
It is the second scandal to rock the church in as many months.
In March, the Scottish Daily Mail revealed that Dr Campbell, a former moderator of the Free Church General Assembly, killed himself after he was accused of seven affairs.
His church tried to keep the scandal quiet – but it emerged that his widow Anne reported his alleged infidelity to church leaders.
A church inquiry later saw ministers suspend one woman from receiving communion.
What he is doing is wrong