COMMUNITIES Minister Roseanna Cunningham has outlined the place of Christianity in the post-referendum landscape as she became the first Government minister to address the Free Church of Scotland's annual gathering.
In a speech at the assembly at St Columba's off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, she said churches would help shape the country's future after the independence vote.
She said: "As a government we fully recognise and value the profound and historic influence of the Christian faith upon the people of Scotland - with its focus on such values as compassion, justice, personal and corporate integrity and a respect for education and learning - and we understand that the Church and Christian community has been pivotal in creating the identity and the values of the Scotland we know today."
She said the action of "resisting the encroachments of the state on the legitimate and lawful liberties and activities of groups and organisations - remains important to the identity of the people of Scotland".
"Scotland's churches, including the Free Church, will continue to play a significant and vital role at the heart of many of our most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in a post-referendum Scotland - helping to transform lives; promoting social justice; and supporting some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in Scotland today."
Rev David Miller, the new Free Church of Scotland Moderator, added: "We are pleased to welcome Roseanna Cunningham to our General Assembly, and look forward to hearing what she has to say about the place of Christianity in a post-referendum Scotland."
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