CHURCH of Scotland representatives will be asked to reaffirm the Kirk's backing for EU membership as the In-Out referendum campaign on Europe enters its final month.
The church is already widely viewed as one of the most pro-European institutions in Scotland, but with the June 23 vote expected to be tight, its leadership is seeking to make a robust intervention in the debate.
Commissioners attending this week's General Assembly are being urged to "give thanks for the work of the European Union in promoting peace" and staving off war in western Europe, as part of a proposal from The Kirk's Church and Society Council.
Church of Scotland General Assembly members have repeatedly backed the UK's membership of the EU, with votes in favour of staying in in 2014, 2005, 2002 and 1996.
However, the Kirk is being urged to make a fresh intervention ahead of the referendum on the UK's EU membership called by David Cameron.
The General Assembly on Tuesday will vote on a proposal that states that "the UK has been part of the European Union since 1973" and that "the church believes the UK should remain in the EU".
It adds: "The moral argument for creating a single market within the EU and promoting its economic development is that increased economic resource is one of the principal means whereby the EU can promote peace, human rights and social wellbeing amongst the peoples of Europe, based on a common culture and common geographical boundaries."
Martin Johnstone, a spokesman for the Church and Society Council said that the Kirk should focus the arguments for a vote to stay in around how the EU and its forerunners had promoted peace in the decades after the Second World War.
He said: "The argument is that the EU has been a hugely important influence in peacemaking and that's reflected very much in this report."
However, Johnstone said Kirk members are also being asked to back the idea of reforms to the EU in key areas such as openness and accountability of institutions like the European Parliament.
He added: "In many ways the EU reflects the relationship that the Church of Scotland has with other churches in Europe in terms of cooperation to promote peace and justice.
"The EU is not perfect and we want to be able to make a positive contribution to this debate about how the church and Scotland can engage better with EU institutions."
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