that God Himself made even Hell a zone of God, as Jesus‘ descended into hell’. We celebrate that God does not want any more sacrifices. The German Protestant theologian Christoph Blumhardt once said:’ we are people who protest against death’, and against those who extend the realm of death on earth. We celebrate that death does not have power over us any longer.
In remembrance of the Last Supper which Jesus held with his followers, we celebrate the Eucharist. The different churches interpret the symbolism and meaning of that meal in different ways and therefore, sadly, there is no community of celebrants. As we approach Maundy Thursday, we find that it contains a tinge of sadness and pain, as well as the joy of deliverance.
Brigitte Williams
INSPIRES ONLINE: free e-newsletter of the Scottish Episcopal Church
Primus responds to announcement to request second referendum on Scottish independence
The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church says:
“ The decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union is an event with far-reaching consequences, many of which have not yet become visible. In those parts of the United Kingdom which have devolved administrations, particularly in Scotland, the Brexit debate had a slightly different feel. That difference was most clearly seen when the vote in Scotland was in favour of‘ remain’.
“ The Scottish Government has announced that it intends to seek permission for a second Independence Referendum. Such a request is not unexpected. It reflects a continuing weakness in the relationship between the Scottish Government and the British Government. They have found it difficult to give creative consideration to the implications of this new situation together. That difficulty reflects a wider failure to make space for a debate about how the developed nations will relate together in the future, but at this moment, refusal on the part of the British Government to allow a second referendum would inevitably give rise to further ill-feeling in relationships.
“ Scotland is already a distinct national entity. It is rich in its history and culture. The Brexit debate has revealed that Scotland is also distinct in its values. The‘ independence question’ is an opportunity for a community to discuss and resolve whether its distinctiveness is such that it justifies separate constitutional arrangements and is therefore a question of national self-determination. Beyond that lie wider questions about Scotland’ s relationships in the wider world and its future in challenging economic times.
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