“This decision has sent a message to the world about what it is to be Scottish,” the Rev. Ian Galloway, convenor of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland, said in a statement. “We are defined as a nation by how we treat those who have chosen to hurt us. Do we choose mercy even when they did not choose mercy?”
Within minutes of the decision by the Scottish government, the United States expressed deep regret and disappointment that its pleas were ignored not to free the dying man, a former Libyan intelligence officer, convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. Al-Megrahi is in the final stages of prostate cancer.
“The United States deeply regrets the decision by the Scottish Executive to release Abdel Basset Mohamed al-Megrahi,” White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs said in a statement. “On this day, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families who live every day with the loss of their loved ones. We recognize the effects of such a loss weigh upon a family forever.”
On Jan. 31, 2001, Megrahi was sentenced to 27 years for the murder of 270 people when Pan Am Flight 103 blew up in the air over the southern Scottish town of Lockerbie on Dec. 21, 1988.
The Church of Scotland was the first Christian communion north of the border with England to respond following the announcement of Scotland’s Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill that the Libyan known in the media as “the Lockerbie Bomber” would be flown home in a private jet. Reports said that Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi would send his private plane to either Edinburgh or Glasgow to collect the convicted bomber and fly him home to Tripoli.
Galloway said in his statement that the jailed man’s release was not about whether a single individual was innocent or guilty.
“Nor is it about whether he had the right to mercy, but whether we as a nation, despite the continuing pain of many, are willing to be merciful. I understand the deep anger and grief that still grips the souls of the victims’ families and I respect their views,” said the church leader.
“But to them I would say justice is not lost in acting in mercy. Instead, our deepest humanity is expressed for the better. To choose mercy is the tough choice and today our nation met the challenge. We have gained something significant as a nation by this decision. It is a defining moment for us all,” said Galloway.
The Church of Scotland is the largest denomination in Scotland and is believed to have about 600,000 members in the country of five million people.
