07/09/2026
A Statement on Inclusion
On behalf of my colleagues and friends in The Old Catholic Apostolic Church Scotland, and our wider OCAC family, we wish to reaffirm clearly and unequivocally our commitment to being an inclusive Church in which all people are welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect.
The OCAC does not condone homophobia, transphobia, discrimination, prejudice or the exclusion of people on the grounds of their sexual orientation, gender identity, background, circumstances or identity. Statements expressing such attitudes do not represent the beliefs, values or vision of our Church.
This commitment to inclusion is not new. It has always been at the heart of the vision of our Patriarch, +Adrian, who has consistently sought to build a Church in which people are welcomed rather than rejected, and in which the love of God is offered freely to all. His belief in a compassionate, open and inclusive Church has helped shape the OCAC into the Church it is today. We remain committed to that vision.
We recognise that individuals are entitled to their personal opinions. However, the personal views of individuals who do not speak on behalf of the OCAC should never be mistaken for the position of the Church itself.
Our understanding of the Gospel calls us towards love rather than condemnation; compassion rather than judgement; and welcome rather than exclusion.
We believe that the Church should be a place where people can encounter God without being made to feel ashamed of who they are. We therefore reject homophobia and other forms of prejudice wherever they occur, and we will continue working towards a Church in which everyone can find a spiritual home.
There is no place within our vision of the OCAC for hatred or discrimination disguised as Christianity.
Canon Alyson Dunlop Shanes,
Vicar General
