Episcopalianism and Scotland

Irish Episcopalians in the Scottish Episcopal Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway during the Nineteenth Century

“…The bishops were doing their best to develop congregations within their own dioceses, but there was little sign from them as a group that they were prepared to offer some collective leadership on the new social issues of urban Scotland. 99 This lack of a central strategy to deal with the urban migrants was mirrored in the Glasgow diocese where, as has been already noted, it was not until There are some who belittle the Church of Ireland and who almost sneer at her efforts to make her services attractive to and appreciated by her people. We emphatically disclaim such an unchristian view, for we have seen many good God-fearing families brought up in the plain, simple Church of Ireland form, men and women who were most catholic in things fundamental.…”

“…In his study of Highland Episcopalianism, he refers to recent books and papers on the religious history of Gaeldom, and noticed that 'It would appear that historians are just as guilty as others are in perpetuating an inaccurate historical reduction of Episcopalianism as merely an "English" kirk' . 29 Some Episcopal historians like Stephen admit that the Church's numerical growth in the nineteenth century was due mainly to 'the increase of Irish and English families in Scotland' 30 but fails to suggest any proportion for either. Lochhead in her study of nineteenthcentury Scottish Episcopalianism states that 'mission work was done chiefly among the incoming English and Irish workers in Glasgow' and then goes on to claim, 'The Irish perhaps were less numerous'.…”

“…109 Professor Reed added that the degree of ritualism, the strength by which it was enforced, and the sensitivities which it disregarded amounted to 272 I. Meredith a 'bemusing lack of common sense.' 110 That the extreme ritualism of AngloCatholicism was a major factor in the numerical decline of the Church has been suggested by at least two historical sources, one from outside the Church and the other from within.…”

The Colonial Religion of the Anglican Clergy: Western Australia 1830 to c. 1870

“…70 The same could also be true for members of Wollaston's own church -Gaelic Episcopalians in Scotland in the mid-nineteenth century stubbornly clung to their traditional practice of occasional reception of the sacrament, not out of lack of interest but because of a theology that maintained such closeness to God required careful preparation beforehand. 71 Also, in England, increased services of Holy Communion did not necessarily translate into increased reception of the sacrament by parishioners, due to long-standing fears about the sacredness of the Eucharist and the consequences of unworthy reception. 72 This metropolitan evidence, along with the colonial reluctance about too frequent reception of Holy Communion, indicates that this was not motivated by religious indifference, secularism, or loss of faith, as some commentators, including the colonial clergy, have suggested.…”