The Moderator of the Church of Scotland has warned that women in the Kirk are facing “real discrimination”.
The Right Rev Lorna Hood made the comments in her speech to the Church Guild’s annual meeting in the Caird Hall, Dundee.
“Recently I’ve been saddened because I’ve spent time with women who although dedicated to their Lord and His church have experienced real discrimination,” Rt Rev Hood said.
“There are parts of the country where women are still denied a place on Kirk Sessions; elders who, having moved from one part of the country to another, find their ordination is called into question. We talk of the great advances made since women were ordained in 1966, but in some areas that is still a huge issue.
“They continue to serve as best they can and in the areas where they can make a difference but the pain is real and the hurt runs deep. In such areas if it were not for the Guild, they would be quite isolated.”
Rt Rev Hood’s decision to speak out on the issue is said to have been prompted by recent visits to presbyteries where women have suffered from discrimination.
More than 2,000 largely-female Guild members attended the annual meeting where the speech was made.
