CHURCH REPORT FAVOURS SPIRITUAL HEALING

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27670, 28 May 1955, Page 7

CHURCH REPORT FAVOURS SPIRITUAL HEALING

(Rec. 8 p.m.) EDINBURGH, May 27. A special commission of the Church of Scotland yesterday published a report welcoming spiritual healing, which it said had in some cases apparently effected permanent cures, “The Times” said today. The commission was appointed by the Church of Scotland to investigate the theological implications of spiritual healing, and its place in the ministry. It reported that through prayer—sometimes with and sometimes without the laying on of hands-~-persons suffering from diseases had been cured, sometimes temporarily and at other times apparently permanently. The commission’s report was presented to the Church of Scotland General Assembly in Edinburgh by the Rev. Dr. Neville Davidson, of

Glasgow Cathedral. Dr. Davidson said the commission gave an unequivocal answer in the affirmative” to the question whether the ministry of spiritual healing was to be welcomed.

He emphasised, however, that if a minister pf religion without any specialised medical knowledge worked independently of the doctor, he might do grave harm. Dr. Davidson said clergyman and doctor ought to be partners to the w ?* k , of healing. “A wise clergyman will always remember the whole man —body, mind and soul,” he said. . Dr. Davidson added that the growing interest in spiritual healing was surely to be welcomed, on the ground that it was recalling the ministry to recognition of the vital need of the pastoral function.