Councillors in unholy row over gift idea
Presentation Bibles offer prompts furore
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An unholy row has broken out among Highland councillors after an Inverness Christian group offered to present Bibles to every councillor and chief official of the council.
The offer was made by Christians Together, a newsletter published for Christians in the city, with a view to a presentation of the Bibles by leading Christian, Lord Mackay of Clashfern.
The editor of the newsletter, who refused to give his full name, told the Press and Journal yesterday that information about the offer should not be in the public domain.
He said: “An offer has been made by Christian leaders in the Highlands to Highland councillors and to chief officials of the council to support them in their role through prayer; and to further demonstrate support for them by making a gift of a presentation Bible to each individual.” In a letter the group asked that the offer be made at a full meeting of the council, to be followed up with a summary e-mailed to everyone concerned, inviting replies, he said.
He added that no response had yet been received from the council.
But he confirmed that Lord Mackay would make the presentation “in a location and manner befitting the gift and the sentiment of support embodied in it.”
And he revealed that every Bible would be inscribed to carry its recipient’s name.
The news came to light after an internal e-mail by Nairn Provost Liz MacDonald was leaked to the press. In it, she told all the other councillors that she was not interested in receiving a copy.
Ms MacDonald said: “I believe that a person’s religion or faith is a private and personal matter, so I am disappointed that this has got out. We were asked to give our views on receiving a Bible at a presentation and I said I have a Bible and didn’t need another one, so I wouldn’t be going to it. I think as well that religion and politics should be kept separate.”
Council convener Sandy Park said: “I don’t think the Bible offer is erring into anybody’s private life, the councillors can just say no and that’s the end of story.”
Inverness South councillor Thomas Prag said: “I won’t be participating. If others want to make a public affirmation of faith it’s up to them, but I would have a reservation if it became any kind of formal council event, endorsed by the council, and I think a number of us would. That would be one step too far.”
Councillor Alasdair Rhind said he was disappointed in Ms MacDonald’s response to the Bible offer.
He said: “The Christian faith is our faith and it is part of the heritage of the Highlands and it saddens me that this e-mail was circulated. When councillors are elected they get offered advice on many things and I see this offer from church leaders as very appropriate. If she doesn’t want to take up the offer that is fine, but this e-mail is discourteous.”
Meanwhile, Lord MacKay of Clashfern said Christians Together invited him to present the Bibles in his capacity as president of the Scottish Bible Society, and said he would be happy to do it.
