The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the Rt Rev Dr Russell Barr, minister at Cramond Kirk.
Following the announcement by the US President Donald Trump on Friday that nationals from seven countries would be barred from entering the States for a period of there months, Dr Barr has decided to speak out.
Dr Barr said: “As Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, I am horrified that President Trump has signed an executive order suspending admission of refugees to the United States for 120 days, and banning travellers from seven countries from entering the US for the next three months.
“Over the weekend thousands of people have gathered in US airports to protest and there has been international condemnation of the order.
“The protests and the condemnation has my full support.
“History is littered with instances in which human distrust, xenophobia, and discrimination has sewn hatred and conflict; our own desire for self-preservation taken at the exclusion of others.
“And yet throughout history the Bible has called Christians to live beyond hatred and fear, demonstrating a radical hospitality where the stranger finds welcome and refuge is provided for those who are oppressed.
“This faithful call is reflected in the recent statement given by Rev J Herbert Nelson 11, stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and we must be vocal in our support for them as they seek to hold their government to account.
“As for us, it is vitally important that the Church of Scotland shines a light on this injustice, that we pray for all those concerned, and that we act to make our own governments aware of Christs call to care for others, not just ourselves and our own.”
There is to be a protest in Edinburgh on Monday 30 January at 6.00pm at The Mound.
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