Sacked: Kirk minister who had affair with widow after holding her husband's funeral

Published on Thursday 9 December 2010 13:51

A CHURCH of Scotland minister who had an affair with one of his parishioners has been fired by his presbytery.

The Rev Michael Erskine, 54, the minister of Crail and Kingsbarns Church, in Fife, was suspended by the Church of Scotland for two years in August after he was involved in a relationship with a local widow at whose husband's funeral he had officiated.

An appeal against the suspension by the Judicial Commission of the Church of Scotland, which acts on behalf of the Church's highest court, the General Assembly, was upheld two months later after the married father of two apologised and admitted failing to be "Christ-like".

The suspension was halved but it will be August next year before he is allowed to lead services again at another church.

The Rev Dr John Cameron of St Andrews presented a case at the St Andrews Presbytery meeting in Cupar, Fife, on Wednesday night which he hoped would have seen Mr Erskine's suspension reduced again to "time served" - meaning he could have been back in the pulpit by Christmas.

But Dr Cameron said that a last-minute codicil had come before the presbytery from the Church "which effectively said they wanted him fired".

Dr Cameron said: "They put pressure on presbytery to fire him and presbytery did not stand up to that - they caved in and agreed."

A spokesman for the Church of Scotland confirmed that presbytery had voted by 42 votes to four in favour of dissolving Mr Erskine's pastoral ties and he no longer had responsibilities for his flock.

He added: "There was a mood of sadness about the decision and that it should not have gotten to that stage."

The unfolding events, and what Dr Cameron called a "merciless decision", shocked the large turnout from Crail and Kingsbarns.

Mr Erskine began a relationship with widowed B&B owner Lesley MacGregor after he officiated at her husband Alistair's funeral.

His wife of 23 years, Jill, reported him to the Church of Scotland.Mr Erskine was found to have broken the seventh commandment and was suspended by the Judicial Commission of the Church of Scotland, a decision which caused disappointment and anger in many quarters in the area, where he was a popular minister.

Mr Erskine moved out of the manse in Crail along with his teenage son and daughter, and declined to comment on his suspension, saying he did not want to upset his family any further.

An interim moderator was appointed to continue the services at Crail and Kingsbarns.

But there was a petition and online campaign calling for Mr Erskine to be allowed to return to the pulpit.

Dr Cameron had told the presbytery: "A failed marriage can result in even the most self-possessed of people floundering in a sea of unhappiness.

"They can and do make incautious choices as they try to cope with the empty void in their lives.

"This prosecution has turned into a persecution and it is time to call a halt."

He later said the decision was very disappointing.

Crail and District Community Council chairman Dr Jack Jarvis described Mr Erskine as "a very active and deeply involved member of the community" and "the best parish minister we have had for 25 years for interacting with the community".

He added: "He has done a lot for Crail and I am very appreciative of the work he has done here."