The Church of Scotland has promised the Queen it will work hard to reconcile people divided by the independence referendum.
The pledge was made by immediate past General Assembly moderator the Very Rev Lorna Hood after Her Majesty called on commissioners to do what they can to “heal” wounds inflicted by the bruising contest.
Reading out the Kirk’s reply to the Queen’s letter, Mrs Hood said: “We sincerely appreciate Your Majesty’s prayers for the social good of Scotland in this year of referendum.
“Whatever the outcome, we anticipate that there will afterwards be much work for the Church to do in helping people to address the consequences of the referendum and to be reconciled with each other.”
General Assembly commissioners are debating Scotland’s constitutional future today.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander will outline the case for keeping the 307-year Union intact on behalf of the Better Together campaign.
Author and lecturer the Rev Dr Doug Gay, of Glasgow University, will speak for the Yes Scotland group.
Mrs Hood said faith groups wanted the importance of religion enshrined in a written constitution in the event of an independent Scotland.
She added that they wanted “something more than verbal assurances” from political leaders in the event of a Yes vote.
Mrs Hood added: “There is a loud secular voice – small in number but loudly and forcefully asserting that there should be no place for religion in a modern Scotland.”