Moderator appeals to thief who stole Kirk treasures

THE Church of Scotland’s Moderator has urged the person who took two missing Kirk treasures to “look into their conscience” and return them.

The historic cross and ring were in a bag that went missing from Edinburgh Airport last month. The Kirk has offered a four-figure sum for information leading to the safe return of the items.

The Rt Rev Albert Bogle, whose term as Moderator of the General Assembly ends this month, yesterday made a fresh appeal.

He said: “As my term of office nears its end, the best hand­over I could give to my successor would be the safe return of these items, which are an important, vital and visual part of not just the history of the Kirk, but the history of Scotland.

“I’d like to thank Police Scotland for their help in this investigation and hope we will soon get the breakthrough we need to ensure the jewellery, which I must stress is not my own pro­perty, is returned.

“I’d urge the person who took the items, or anyone who may have been offered them, to look into their conscience and return them. You know it is the right thing to do. Your own peace of mind is worth more than any money you may have been offered for them.”

The jewellery was in a brown saddle bag on a trolley outside the airport when it was taken.