Alex Salmond hails Reformation ahead of anniversary

THE impact of the Reformation is "felt to this day", First Minister Alex Salmond has said ahead of a series of events to mark its 450th anniversary.

The 16th-century overhaul saw Scotland formally break from the Catholic Church's authority, and a programme of events on Wednesday will commemorate its legacy.

The Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church have joined to commemorate the occasion.

Salmond said: "The Scottish Reformation was one of the most significant periods in our country's history and its impact is felt to this day.

"Scotland's single greatest invention is universal education and the Kirk had a crucial role in the creation of the world-class education system that we have today. The education that focused on enabling everyone to read the Bible contributed to our intellectual achievements in the Enlightenment and the open-mindedness that has made today's Scotland a welcoming home to so many faiths and cultures."

The First Minister will make the opening speech at a conference organised by the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church of Scotland at the Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh on Wednesday morning.

Scottish Reformation - Marking the Legacy, Imagining the Future will be jointly convened by Rev Dr Alan Falconer and Archbishop Mario Conti.

The speakers include Rev Dr Alison Peden from the Scottish Episcopal Church, historian Professor Tom Devine and the Very Rev Dr Sheilagh Kesting. Later that day, Salmond will attend an ecumenical service and read a lesson at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.

The Scottish Government will host a multi-faith reception at Edinburgh Castle following the service.

Guests will include leaders and representatives of all of Scotland's faith communities, academics, historians and party leaders.