Our Church's record on this issue in times past is far from blameless.

Church of Scotland report

The report's authors said they recognised the part played by the Church of Scotland in promoting anti-Catholic sentiments in the 1930s.

"Our Church's record on this issue in times past is far from blameless," they said, recalling how the committee campaigned against Irish immigration to Scotland during the Depression.

While the present organisation may feel itself more enlightened, the report added: "We may also be judged in hindsight to have turned a blind eye to sectarian attitudes which will still remain on and under the surface of the Church of Scotland today."

Progress has been made on ecumenical relations with other churches, notably the Catholic Church in Scotland.

Racial equality

But the report added that although the Orange Order "clearly see themselves as a law-abiding group which promotes civil and religious liberty in Scotland" it is "widely perceived to be a sectarian organisation".

Sectarianism has plagued Scotland for years

The committee said "those within the Church of Scotland who associate themselves with the order should reflect upon this and take this to heart".

The General Assembly will be asked to consider the need to introduce an offence of "sectarian aggravation" similar to legislation relating to "religiously aggravated crime" in the wake of the 11 September terror attacks.

The committee has called on public authorities to promote racial equality and new standards of professionalism within institutions.

The report praised the work of initiatives such as Bridging the Gap in Gorbals, Glasgow, and the Scottish Centre for Non-violence in Dunblane.

It has called for a working group to be set up, if possible, in partnership with the Roman Catholic Justice and Peace Commission.