The leader of the Scottish Episcopal Church has said he is deeply distressed at the offence caused by the reading of a passage from the Koran in a Glasgow cathedral.
Church Primus, the Most Rev David Chillingworth, spoke out following a backlash over the reading at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral.
On January 6, The Very Reverend Kelvin Holdsworth, provost of St Mary's, invited local Muslims to a service on the feast of the Epiphany.
Student Madinah Javed read from the lectern in Arabic from the chapter of Maryam (Mary), which describes the story of Christ's birth to Mary.
It also features the Islamic version of the Nativity, which says Jesus is not the son of God and should not be worshipped.
When news of the reading was emerged, the former Bishop of Rochester, the Right Reverend Michael Nazir-Ali, called on the Scottish Episcopal Church to “repudiate this ill-advised invitation and exercise appropriate discipline for those involved”.
The cathedral also received offensive messages from online platforms, which are being investigated by police.
In an online post, Rev Chillingworth said the church is committed to interfaith development and will meet with those involved.
He also said he regretted abuse targeted at the cathedral.
Rev Chillingworth wrote: “Those who seek to work in the area of interfaith relationships must weigh carefully whether the choices which they make are appropriate or otherwise.
“In today’s world, those judgments must give careful consideration to good relationships which have been carefully nurtured over many years in a local context.
“They must also weigh carefully the way in which national and international issues shape perceptions of what is appropriate or inappropriate
“The decisions which have led to the situation in St Mary’s Cathedral are a matter for the provost and the cathedral community but the Scottish Episcopal Church is deeply distressed at the widespread offence which has been caused.
“We also deeply regret the widespread abuse which has been received by the cathedral community.
“In response to what has happened at the cathedral, the Scottish Episcopal Church will bring together all those who are involved in the development of interfaith relations.
“Our intention will be as a church to explore how, particularly in the area of worship, this work can be carried forward in ways which will command respect.”
Last week, Police Scotland confirmed it was investigating the offensive comments directed at the cathedral and did not tolerate any form of hate.
A spokesman said: ‘’We can confirm we are investigating reports of offensive comments made towards St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow and inquiries are ongoing.
‘’Police Scotland will not tolerate any form of hate and encourages all communities to work together to ensure no-one feels threatened or marginalised.’’
Mr Holdsworth said the Koran reading was part of efforts to build relationships between different faiths and were nothing new.
Asked if he had known what the Koran verse specifically said about Jesus, Mr Holdsworth declined to comment further.
The leading churchman is a controversial figure, who often uses his sermons to comment on controversial political matters of the day.
In his Christmas Day sermon, he compared US President-elect Donald Trump to King Herod, who tried to kill Jesus as a baby in a massacre of baby children.
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