Statement from the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Right Rev Dr Russell Barr, on President Donald Trump’s Executive Order on Immigration.

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 sown 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 II, 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.”