A disgraced East Neuk minister is to serve a minimum two-year suspension after details of an illicit affair with one of his parishioners came to light.
Married father-of-two, the Rev Michael Erskine, of Crail and Kingsbarns Church, was involved in a relationship with an unnamed local widow whose husband’s funeral had been officiated by the Fife minister.
He was suspended as of last Friday by the Judicial Commission of the Church of Scotland, which acts on behalf of the Church’s highest court, the General Assembly.
It is not known how long the affair had gone on, but details of the case were first reported to the Presbytery of St Andrews in the spring before it was escalated.
Mr Erskine was at his Crail home yesterday but declined to comment, stressing he did not want to upset his family any further.
The Church of Scotland was also invited to give a statement, but a spokesman said they had nothing to add at this time.
Despite the lack of information coming from church officials the news has shocked many in the community.
In an anonymous letter sent to The Courier one “disillusioned” church-goer, and a member of Mr Erskine’s congregation, said the information should be made public.
Elsewhere Crail and District Community Council chairman Dr Jack Jarvis said there was a great deal of support for the reverend.
“It is shocking news which has, I think, upset a majority of the congregation who are very supportive of Mike. He has been a very active and deeply involved member of the community.
“This is something which the community misses and they feel ignored by church officials.”
Rob Moodie, of Kingsbarns Community Council, added, “We are obviously concerned about the future of our local church and that it should continue to operate. Apart from that there is not much more I can say.”
The congregations at Crail and Kingsbarns were informed of the suspension at the weekend by the moderator of the Presbytery of St Andrews, the Rev Ken Jeffrey, who read out a statement during Sunday service.
An interim moderator has now been appointed to continue the services in the East Neuk parishes as well as a locum for the day-to-day running of the churches.
Mr Erskine, who has the option to appeal the suspension, was put forward as the sole nominee as minister at the linked Church of Scotland congregations of Crail and Kingsbarns in 2002.