Roman Catholic Speaks in free church HallOn 8th November 1997 a Roman Catholic spoke at a conference held in the Free Church offices. Many troubled Free Church members wrote to those who allowed this to occur but their pleas were dismissed. The following reasons were given: 1. We have much in common with Roman Catholics. But we are Protestants and do not believe the Reformation was a mistake. Our Westminster Confession is totally opposed to Roman Catholicism (eg. WCF 25.6). 2. We are said to be inventing a new sin of guilt by association. Did Jesus not mix with all sorts? Yes, but He never forgot His mission. We love our Roman Catholic neighbours and that is why we wish to see them delivered from the darkness of Romanism and come to enjoy justification by faith alone in Christ alone. It is not associating or discussing with Catholics that is the problem, but giving them a platform for their views. 3. This Conference was not about doctrine but about education. Yet surely as Calvinists we have a very different view of education from Roman Catholics. Catholics demand to have their own schools. For them, tradition is as important as Scripture, and the RC Church is their final authority. The post-1900 Free Church had always been opposed to the Ecumenical Movement. We were founder members of the Reformed Ecumenical Synod which was set up in direct opposition to the World Council of Churches. Later when the RES was perceived to be weakening we left with others and formed the International Conference of Reformed Churches. Now, however, the Scottish Order of Christian Unity has been allowed by our Trustees into our Edinburgh Presbytery Hall to hold their AGM and conference. The Members Rule Book of the Order of Christian Unity requires all to "support whole-heartedly the work undertaken...towards achieving doctrinal unity". Half the members of their Executive Committee are Roman Catholics. Their Charter is said to have proved to be a "great breakthrough for Christian unity in its truest sense. It was praised by the World Council of Churches" (S.O.C.U. Scotfocus September 1997). We claim to be a Reformed Church, but what would the Reformers think of our faithfulness to the gospel? Would John Knox be proud of our liberality to those who tried to keep Scotland in darkness? Has Romanism changed in any of its essential teachings from the Church that burnt the martyrs? We are not afraid to discuss faith or ethics with anyone, but to give false religion a platform in our buildings, built and maintained by the sacrificial givings of our people, cannot be right. [Professor Macleod and Ordination Vows][Intimidation][Concern for Justice][True calvinism] Any comments or questions please E-Mail me or Rev William Macleod the Editor. [Back to Reformed Christian Pages][Back to Free Church Foundations] |