Scottish Executive Plans Second Anti-Sectarianism Summit

|TOP|A second anti-sectarianism summit has been planned by the Scottish Executive in a bid to fight the widespread problem of bigotry in Scotland.

A spokeswoman for the executive said that no date had been set for the summit which follows on from a similar event held in Glasgow last February, reports the BBC.

"There are plans to hold another anti-sectarian summit, that was always the plan, as the first minister said last year,” she said.

"No date has yet been set but we are looking at some time in the autumn and all stakeholders will be invited."

At the previous event Scotland’s first minister Jack McConnell called for Scotland to be rid of the “dead weight of religious hatred”.

|QUOTE|The event brought together around 30 organisations including Celtic and Rangers football clubs, the Catholic Church, Church of Scotland and the Orange Order.

An 18-point action plan has been launched by Mr McConnell since the first summit which includes anti-sectarian classes in schools and plans for banning orders on trouble-makers at religious marches.

News of the second summit has been welcomed by the press and publicity officer for the Scottish Catholic Media Office, Simon Dames.

“Certainly the church welcomes any coming together of people of goodwill," he said.

"The second anti-sectarianism summit may play a part in the overall strategy to end sectarianism.

"Any step forward in the right direction will be welcomed by the Catholic Church."