Published on 5 August 2025

4 minutes read


The Moderator of the General Assembly was “warmly welcomed” by the leaders of Scotland’s political parties to discuss a wide range of topics of mutual interest and concern.

Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator Rt Rev Rosie Frew – The Scottish Parliament.

Rt Rev Rosie Frew said she “greatly appreciated the opportunity” to meet with First Minister John Swinney, SNP, Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar, Russell Findlay of the Scottish Conservatives, Alex Cole-Hamilton of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens.

The Moderator assured them that they, as public servants committed to making Scotland a fair, just and equal society, are upheld in prayer along with their fellow MSPs, staff and civil servants.

She was accompanied to the meetings by Rev Fiona Smith, Principal Clerk of the General Assembly, David Bradwell, the Church’s Parliamentary Officer, and, on occasion, Dr Robyn Knight, a member of the Faith Action Programme Staff.

Rt Rev Rosie Frew John Swinney Rt Rev Rosie Frew and First Minister John Swinney.

The purpose of the annual Moderator meetings with the leaders of the main parties who have seats at Holyrood, held over the course of June and July, is to demonstrate the Church’s commitment to, and involvement in, national life and social and political issues.

The Church is committed to continually strengthening relationships with political leaders and offer them pastoral support, recognising that people in the public eye often have to make difficult decisions.

The meetings provide an opportunity for the Moderator and Church officials to raise concerns or lobby for a particular issue in addition to hearing the priorities of political leaders to establish how the Church can serve the common good.

One of the key issues discussed was Assisted Dying as legislation to allow eligible, terminally ill adults in Scotland to lawfully request, and be provided with, assistance by health professionals to end their own lives.

The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament by Liam McArthur MSP and recently passed its first stage.

At the General Assembly in May, commissioners reaffirmed the Church of Scotland’s opposition to Assisted Dying, while acknowledging the diversity of views among members.

Anas Sarwar Rosie Frew L-R – Rev Fiona Smith, Paul O’Kane MSP, Rt Rev Rosie Frew and Anas Sarwar MSP.

They rejected a motion that simply noted the diversity of theological views on the controversial issue and the integrity with which they are held.

The Moderator and MSPs discussed the fractured nature of Scottish politics, which has led to public discourse that is often polarised.

They touched on the impact of social media, algorithms and artificial intelligence on news, journalism and communication and the dangers of mis- or falsely reporting things as true and the harm this can cause to the fabric of society and a loss of trust in institutions and politicians.

The Moderator brought up the aims of the Scotland Demands Better campaign, coordinated by the Poverty Alliance and endorsed by the General Assembly 2025.

It calls for:

  • Better jobs for everyone who needs one, with fair conditions and wages that pay the bills.
  • Better investment for life’s essentials – like affordable homes, good public transport, a thriving natural environment and strong public services.
  • Better social security so that all of us have a foundation for the future.

Patrick Harvie Rosie Frew Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Patrick Harvie MSP and Rev Fiona Smith.

Mrs Frew encouraged party leaders to support Christian Aid in the work they do to support the most vulnerable and marginalised people in the world.

During her year in office, she is presenting a special postcard to people she meets, which bears a message asking people to support Christian Aid.

Other issues discussed included gender recognition, refugees and asylum seekers, the rise of extreme right-wing populism which uses the language and symbols of Christianity, the role of empathy to counter de-humanisation, the importance of interfaith relations, community cohesion, scrapping nuclear weapons and the appointment of the first Roman Catholic to represent His Majesty King Charles at the General Assembly in May.

Lady Elish Angiolini LT DBE PC KC FRSE told the annual gathering that she believed that prejudice and sectarianism can be overcome by the recognition that we are “all Jock Tamson’s bairns.”

She said people are the creation of God and all require “love, forgiveness and support” in all their imperfection.

Reflecting on her meetings with party leaders, Mrs Frew said: “I was warmly welcomed by them all.

“I brought to each of them greetings from the General Assembly, an appreciation of their commitment to serving our country, and the assurance that all those in political office are prayed for regularly in churches across the land.

“Theirs is not an easy task.

“I told them all about the theme for my year and also my invitation to support Christian Aid in this 80th anniversary year.

“I presented each of them with an ‘Extravagant Love’ postcard and there were some promises of support.”

Russell Findlay- Alex Cole-Hamilton L-R – Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton.

Mrs Frew said she gave the leaders an update on General Assembly decisions.

“We spoke of the positive message in the appointment of Lady Elish Angiolini, a real living out of the St Margaret Declaration of friendship between the Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland,” she added.

“The debate on Assisted Dying was a key talking point with the leaders with several of them commenting that the (vote at Holyrood) had probably been the hardest decision in their political life.

Mrs Frew said the need for more respectful dialogue around politics was an important issue raised with the party leaders.

“With an election approaching, the disengagement of so many from politics was discussed with concern,” she explained.

“I assured them that as a church we will be encouraging congregations to hold hustings, engage with the issues and vote.

“I told them that the General Assembly passed a deliverance which emphasised the need to uphold truth and uprightness in the public square, and to challenge misinformation and lies which so often lead to division and distrust.

“This engendered positive discussion and expressions of real concern.”