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Church of Scotland mediators to quell disputes

The Church of Scotland will hire mediators to handle mutinous parishioners clashing with ministers over the interpretation of Christian doctrine.

A third of the kirk's 1,200 congregations are in squabbles between church-goers and ministers, says a report calling for independent “peace-makers” to be used to quell disputes.

The report, by the kirk's ministries council, says many parishioners no longer accept the authority of ministers “who do nothing to gain the respect and trust of the congregation”.

The study, which will be presented at this year's general assembly, adds: “The conflicts which result are hardly ever expressed in theological debate. They emerge in power struggles between those accused of promoting radical views and those who are seen as turning the church into the exclusive preserve of the true believers. The resulting chain of events leads to exclusion and simmering resentments.”

Full story at the Sunday Times.