Uproar in the Cathedral

A CHRISTIAN unity service at Glasgow Cathedral erupted in violence last night. Police swept into the Cathedral as a 100- strong band of demonstrators sparked off a slanging match. But they left later with the minister’s approval and the chaos continued. Hymns, prayers, and the sermon were drowned by shouts and hysterical screams. And scuffles took place as several members of the congregation attempted to push the protesters outside. And the whole demonstration developed into an attack on the Rev. Dr. William Morris, minister at the Cathedral, as much as a protest against the presence of the Most Rev. James Scanlan, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow.

As the screaming and chanting died down, Pastor Jack Glass, leader of the demonstrators, proudly declared: “I feel this is the beginning of a twentieth century Reformation. What I have done tonight is what John Knox himself would have done!” ‘Smuggled in’ Pastor Glass (33), of the Zion Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, in Clarendon Street, Glasgow, “smuggled” himself into the Cathedral some time before the service was due to start. But moments after Dr. Norris, Archbishop Scanlon, and the Most Rev. Francis Moncrieff, Episcopal Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, had taken their seats, he sprang from his place mid-way down the centre aisle. Sporting clerical collar and white smock proclaiming “Dr. Morris is a Traitor,” he jumped to his feet. Followers who had filed into the back of the Cathedral drowned his “proclamation” with shouting and jeering. Elders ran forward to grasp the leader and simultaneously, scuffles broke out in the rear of the Cathedral. Two young girls - both members of the congregation pushed and shouted at several of the demonstrators.

Then Pastor Glass was hustled up the centre aisle, flanked by four men and pushed into the outer hall. A dozen members of the congregation left as minor scuffles, involving mostly pushing, broke out amid chants from the demonstrators. Blasts from the organ managed to attain a response from the congregation, and the 23rd Psalm began. Police, led by an inspector, pushed their way into the centre aisle and attempted to reason with the shouting mob, without success. Archbishop Scanlan, now standing by the lectern was jeered. Fleeting smiles creased his face as he was bombarded by shouts of “ No Popery in Scotland.” Dr. Morris stood speaking to the Archbishop for several minutes then began to walk down the centre aisle. As he did so, a demonstrator shouted heatedly: “Get Scanlan out of here and we’ll be quiet!”

TWENTY THREE minutes after the service began, Pastor Glass appeared again at the back of the Cathedral. For three minutes he and Dr. Morris argued. Their exchange was drowned by shouts from other demonstrators. Then Dr. Morris returned to the platform and said: “We have heard one side of the story and I am assured that we who are taking part in this service will now be able to continue. Whether that promise is one which will be kept will depend on those who have been shouting.” Moments later the squad of policemen disappeared, and, after a 20 minute delay Archbishop Scanlan began to read the first lesson. But it passed almost unheard. As he concluded, he ripped off his glasses, and with a smile returned to his seat. He received thunderous applause from the congregation and jeers from the demonstrators. The following prayer and hymn were blotted out by screams of “Morris is a dirty traitor” and “Get Scanlan out of here.”

AT 8.42, Bishop Moncrieff took his place at the lectern to read the second lesson. It too went unheard. Then Pastor Glass shouted from the front of the Cathedral to Dr. Morris that his people would “sit down if Scanlan gets out.”

THREE MINUTES later, Dr. Morris began his sermon. Only a few words were heard. The congregation did hear him say: ‘I am no more going to become a Catholic or Anglican than Archbishop Scanlan or Bishop Moncrieff a Protestant.” This was greeted by shouts of “Lies!”

Pastor Glass continued to stand below the pulpit. Amid boos and jeers he argued and shouted at Dr. Morris. He was supported by an elderly woman at the back who shouted: “I respect the priest on the platform, but not you. You are just a dirty traitor.”

AT 8.55 pm, Dr. Morris stepped down from the pulpit. He said: “Having made your protest, are you not prepared to listen to the other side of the story ?” The reply was “NO.” And as the uproar died down with the congregation filing out from the pews, Pastor Glass said: “We do not hate Roman Catholics, but we do hate their religious system.” A police spokesman said later: “We made no arrests. Dr. Morris agreed to the police leaving after making some form of agreement with Pastor Glass.”

Scottish Daily Express 26.1.68