Cheating Scots minister outed by wife in front of packed church service as she reveals affair with parishioner

A MINISTER’S wife stunned worshippers at a packed church service by announcing he has been having an affair with a parishioner. Rev Edward Lyons, 48, is set to face a conduct probe over the accusation by spouse Caroline, 45. The “trendy” clergyman was seen piling his belongings into a car after being exposed in church Credit: Callan Media – Commissioned by The Sun The reverend’s furious wife took to social media to ask where she could find packing boxes Credit: Callan Media – Commissioned by The Sun A source in Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, said: “He preaches thou shalt not commit adultery but might be a total hypocrite.” The disgraced reverend was seen loading a bike and other belongings into a Volkswagen Touran outside the manse he shared with wife of 22 years Caroline, 45. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Later the motor was parked outside an address understood to be the home of the other woman just minutes away. Church of Scotland officials say they are looking into claims made by Caroline during a sermon that Rev Lyons had been cheating on her with a parishioner in Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire. Caroline later took to social media to ask where she could find packing boxes. Locals said Rev Lyons and the parishioner had been spotted doing a supermarket shop together. The claims about the “trendy” clergyman, who is a karate blackbelt, have stunned the congregation at Penninghame St John’s Church. A source told The Scottish Sun on Sunday: “Everybody is talking about it. Edward was very popular and highly thought of so these allegations have come as a complete and utter shock. Most read in The Sun “He’s just the stereotypical trendy young minister. “He has longer hair, a beard, he plays electric guitar, does karate and rides a bike. His wife said he had been cheating on her with a senior member of the flock and it looks like she has booted him out. “Edward appears to be staying with the new woman and they’ve been seen down at the supermarket. He preaches family values and thou shalt not commit adultery but it seems he might be a total hypocrite.” Lyons, from Drumchapel, Glasgow, was said to be an atheist during his younger years as a biochemistry student at Strathclyde University. But he switched paths after attending a Christmas Eve church service and was ordained two decades ago. He landed his first role in Stirling. He and Caroline met during a youth mission week. It is believed she revealed fears just days after their anniversary that he had strayed with a long-time parishioner who has been involved in events at the kirk. Lyons was seen in a T-shirt and jeans as he left the home provided by the church. Officials admitted it was a “difficult time for all those involved”. A Church of Scotland spokesman added: “The circumstances of this case are currently being investigated. We cannot make any further comment at this point.” Lyons’ Sunday sermons are posted on the church website and YouTube channel. In one video from April 2023 he preaches to his congregation telling them how marriage can make worshippers “a beacon of light to those around you”. The most recent footage on the church blog from May shows Lyons conducting a baptism outdoors. In it, he urges people to use their mobile phones to search for the words ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus’ before dunking a church goer in a river. In other clips he makes jokes about England winning the World Cup and carries out communion wearing a blue hoodie with his church’s PSJ initials on the chest. He also gave a filmed sermon on the “protection of the heart” and the “unravelling of society”. Comment now