Friday March 9 2012 |£1 Redefining marriage would be shameful · newspaper article. The cardinal hopes that his message will be heard by all MPs, including Scottish MPs, who will

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MAKING JESUS THEIR GOAL

Pontifical North American College seminarian Nick Nelson of Duluth Diocese, Minnesota, controls the ball asthe college played a football match against Redemptoris Mater during the Clericus Cup tournament in Romeon Saturday March 3. The US seminarians won the game 1-0

No 5457 www.sconews.co.uk Friday March 9 2012 || £1

TRIBUTES PAID TOleading Scottishlawyer after histragic death inPakistan

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YOUNG CATHOLICS to take part in the50th InternationalEucharisticCongress in Dublin

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JAMES MacMILLANsuggests studiedscepticism onindependencefor Scotland

Page 11visit www.sconews.co.uk

PAUL McBRIDE QC

CATHOLIC FUTUR

E

EUCHAR

ISTIC CONG

RESS

By Ian Dunn

CARDINAL Keith O’Brien has issued hishardest-hitting warning to date on the conse-quences of legalising same-sex ‘marriage’ inthe UK.

The cardinal has said that a redefinition of mar-riage would result in ‘shaming our country,’ andwould be a ‘violation of human rights’ and appear‘grotesque to some people.’

His strong comments will give a boost to thebishops of England and Wales as they launch theirown campaign against the UK Government’s planto launch a consultation on legalising same sex‘marriage’ this month.

Leading oppositionCardinal O’Brien, who is leading the fight againstthe Scottish Government’s plans to redefine mar-riage in Scotland, said that the UK Government’ssuggestion that religious bodies need not partici-pate in same sex ceremonies was ‘disingenuous’and ‘staggeringly arrogant.’

“Redefining marriage will have huge implica-tions for what is taught in our schools, and forwider society,” the cardinal, president of the Bish-ops’ Conference of Scotland, warned in a Londonnewspaper article.

The cardinal hopes that his message will beheard by all MPs, including Scottish MPs, whowill be able to vote on any proposal to legalisesame-sex ‘marriage’ brought forward by the coali-tion government.

“Disingenuously, the government has suggestedthat same-sex ‘marriage’ wouldn’t be compulsoryand churches could choose to opt out,” he said.“This is staggeringly arrogant. No government hasthe moral authority to dismantle the universallyunderstood meaning of marriage.”

The cardinal went on to say that ‘if same-sex‘marriage’ is enacted into law’ teachers who dis-agreed with it could be ‘removed’ from their postsas the ‘madness’ of politicians who sought to ‘jet-tison’ and ‘subvert’ marriage was ‘indulged.’

“Other dangers exist,” he added. “If marriagecan be redefined so that it no longer means a manand a woman but two men or two women, whystop there? Why not allow three men or a womanand two men to constitute a marriage, if theypledge their fidelity to one another?”

Terrible consequencesIn a message that will have a strong resonance inScotland, where the results of the Nationalist Gov-ernment’s consultation on legalising same-sex‘marriage’ have been delayed until at least Aprilto process the huge response, the cardinal said a

redefinition of marriage would have terrible consequences.

“Imagine for a moment that the government haddecided to legalise slavery but assured us that ‘noone will be forced to keep a slave,’” he said.“Would such worthless assurances calm our fury?Would they justify dismantling a fundamentalhuman right? Or would they simply amount toweasel words masking a great wrong?”

In a subsequent radio interview, responding tothose who claimed his remarks were inflamma-tory, the cardinal stated this was not the case.

“I don’t think it’s inflammatory at all,” he said.“I think it’s handing on the teaching of the Chris-tian Church for more than 2000 years and I amdoing my best to hand it on in a way that manypeople can hear it. The natural law teaching ofwhat marriage is is quite simple. It is natural for aman and woman to be together for the procreationand education of children and for their own mutuallove.”

English and Welsh campaignArchbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster is tourge the Catholics of England and Wales to peti-tion their MPs to reject any change to the legaldefinition of marriage.

A letter from the archbishop, to be read out at allparishes in England and Wales this Sunday, willwarn that any change to who is allowed to marrywould be a ‘profoundly radical step’ strippingmarriage of its ‘distinctive nature.’

“The reasons given by our government for want-ing to change the definition of marriage are those ofequality and discrimination,” the letter, which is co-signed by Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark,will state. “But our present law does not discrimi-nate unjustly when it requires both a man and awoman for marriage. It simply recognises and pro-tects the distinctive nature of marriage.”

The letter also states that the nature of marriageis beyond the power of parliaments to legislate on.

“The roots of the institution of marriage lie inour nature,” it says. “This pattern is, of course,affirmed by many other religious traditions—understood as a lifelong commitment between aman and a woman, and for the creation andupbringing of children, marriage is an expressionof our fundamental humanity.”

The letter is accompanied by a cover note ask-ing priests to encourage their parishioners to signa petition set up by the group Coalition for Mar-riage, opposing the redefinition of marriage.

� [email protected]

� Editorial, page 14

SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT � tel 0141 221 4956 � fax 0141 221 4546 � e-mail [email protected]

Redefining marriage would be shameful� Cardinal Keith O’Brien warns of the consequences of legalising same-sex ‘marriage’ in hard-hitting statement

CARDINAL Keith O’Briencelebrated Mass at StTeresa’s Church, Craigmillar,on Sunday as a thanksgivingfor the apostolate of the PoorServants of the Mother ofGod and the Little Companyof Mary in St Andrews andEdinburghArchdiocese.The Poor Servants of the

Mother of God, who initiallycame to Scotland as an order in1899, have been based at theFranciscan parish of St Teresa’ssince 1992 but, because ofincreasing age and shortage ofvocations, are leaving Craigmillarwhere they, according to CardinalO’Brien (above with the sisters),acknowledged that ‘they workedwith some wonderful priests and

got to know so very many specialpeople in the parish.’The parish has also served

the Little Company of Mary,(popularly referred to as the‘Blue Nuns,’ in reference to thecolour of their veils) since theorder moved from its site at theformer St Raphael’s Hospital,which the sisters ran.“As with the Poor Servants

of the Mother of God, the LittleCompany of Mary also owe agreat debt of gratitude to theFranciscans here in Craigmillar,who continued as their chap-lains for well over 20 years,serving the needs of the com-munity, initially from LothianStreet, then High Street andfinally Craigmillar,” Cardinal

O’Brien, who celebrated Massalongside Fr Boniface KrugerOFM, guardian, and Fr JuniperAdams OFM, St Teresa’s parishpriest, said.The cardinal added that ‘we

can now thank God for the won-derful ways in which these twocongregations still look to thefuture and so very often a futureabroad outwith the horizonsever dreamt by their foundressesand the early sisters.’“May God continue to inspire

those members of the Poor Ser-vants of the Mother of God andof the Little Company of Marywho have been and who are stillworking here as they preparefor the new lives which lieahead for them and for themembers of their congregationswherever they are throughoutthe world,” the cardinal said.Sisters from both orders were

present at last Sunday’s Massand a presentation was made toSr Mary Roche and Sr FrancesSugre (Poor Servants) from StTeresa’s parishioners.

PIC: PAUL McSHERRY

2 PICTURE NEWS SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday March 9 2012

By Martin Dunlop

LAST Wednesday evening it was the turnof Galloway Diocese to launch This is OurFaith, the new syllabus for religious educa-tion in Scottish Catholic schools.Bishop John Cunningham of Galloway was

joined at St Margaret’s Cathedral, Ayr, for thelaunch byMichael McGrath, director of the Scot-tish Catholic Education Service, Fr Philip Kitchen,Galloway Diocese’s primary school RE adviser,FrMark Kelly, DonnaMcKay, primary school REco-advisor for the diocese, local MPs and MSPs,the four provosts of the local authorities within

Galloway Diocese, council and education repre-sentatives and headteachers, staff and pupils fromdiocesan primary and secondary schools.Ms McKay emphasised that an important part

of the celebration was focused on Galloway’slinks with St Ninian and, earlier in the day, FrKitchen and the headteachers of the fourCatholic secondary schools in the diocese, StJoseph’s, Dumfries, St Joseph’s, Kilmarnock, StMatthew’s, Saltcoats and Queen Margaret, Ayr,along with senior pupils, had celebrated Mass atWhithorn, where copies of This is Our Faith,which were later distributed to primary and sec-ondary school headteachers, were blessed.

Mr McGrath spoke to the more than 300 peo-ple gathered at the cathedral about This is OurFaith’s background and the fact that the docu-ment has received the official approval of theVatican, while Ms McKay spoke about theCatholic Faith in Galloway Diocese.“We are very proud of our schools and what

we achieve,” Ms McKay said. “We are seeing areal resurgence in commitment and enthusiasmfor teaching the Faith.”Ms McKay was also keen to pay tribute to the

role of schools’ parent councils, chairs of whichwere present at the launch, and their ongoingwork in forming partnerships between theChurch, schools and parents. School pupils fromthroughout the diocese played their part in theday’s celebrations and those gathered at the cathe-dral had the opportunity to enjoy the singing ofthe choir of St John’s Primary School, Ayr.


Bishop Cunningham welcomes teachers and pupils for religious education syllabus unveilingGalloway launches This is Our Faith

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(Above) Bishop John Cunningham, Michael McGrath,director of the Scottish Catholic Education Serviceand staff and pupils from Galloway Diocese picturedafter their official launch of the This is Our Faithreligious education syllabus. (Above right) Headteachersare presented with a copy of the syllabus by the bishop

PICS: PAUL McSHERRY

Sisters says goodbye to Craigmillar after 20 years

CARDINAL Keith O’Brienaddressed the audience(above) at the premiere ofpro-life film, Doonby, atGlasgow Caledonian Univer-sity last Saturday as part ofthe Lentfest programme.The cardinal said that it was

‘most heartening’ to be at the firstscreening of Doonby, as part ofthe Inner-Life Film Festival, afilmwhich, he said ‘unashamedlyupholds the most precious of allvalues, the right to life.’He pointed out that the launch

of the film comes at a worryingtime for Christianity in theUnited Kingdom.“Surely there has never been a

time in the 2000-year history ofChristianity when we need helpin discerning the decisions beforeus—particularly with regard toevery aspect of human moralityand especially with regard to‘life’ issues,” Cardinal O’Briensaid. “Concentrating on human

life, as does this filmDoonby, wemust again ask ourselves justwhat has been happening sincethe 1967 Abortion Act. We areaware of the tens of thousands ofunborn babies killed in the wombin the UK since then. It is esti-mated that the total of babieskilled in the womb at this presenttime is over 200,000 per year—which means 600 babies arekilled daily which is the equiva-lent to 30 classrooms of children.What a horrible thought.”The cardinal also highlighted

media reports in the precedingdays, including news of clinicsacross England ‘illegally offeringto abort babies on the basis ofgender,’ ethicists call for killingof newborns to be made legal andthe recent decision of the Courtof Session in Edinburgh that twoCatholic midwives could beforced to supervise abortions.“We might wonder just what

aberrations are around the corner

when we tamper with God givenlife in the ways in which we do,”the cardinal said.He added that the film,

Doonby, which was recentlylaunched in the US, could be ‘awakeup call to those who see it’and that he has ‘been greatlyencouraged to read and hearsome of the positive responsesthat the film has received.’“GianfrancoGrieco of the Pon-

tifical Council for the Familyremarked that this film weaves‘an intriguing tapestry of complexchoices and their consequences,’”the cardinal said.The one-day Inner-Line Film

Festival was organised by theCatholic Parliamentary Office aspart of the Archdiocese of Glas-gow Arts Project’s Lentfestprogramme.

� Cardinal O’Brien’s address infull at http://www.sconews.co.uk/opinion/17064/film-festival

Pro-life film premieres in GlasgowPIC: PAUL McSHERRY

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By Ian Dunn

MORE than 150 members of the Scot-tish legal profession attended a Massat St Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgowon Monday to mark the passing ofprominent Scottish Catholic LawyerPaul McBride, who died in Pakistanlast weekend.Mr McBride QC died on Saturday after

attending a wedding in Pakistan. He hadretired to his hotel room after saying hefelt unwell and staff were unable to wakehim on Sunday morning. A post mortemto determine the cause of death found MrMcBride had died of natural causes.

High profileMrMcBride (right) was one of Scotland’smost high profile lawyers and was knownfor his outspoken political views and hisrole representing Celtic Football Club.Two men are currently on trial in Glas-

gow accused of sending suspected parcelbombs to Mr McBride, Neil Lennon andother supporters of Celtic Football Club.Lawyers and politicians were quick to

pay tribute to the QC after hearing thenews of his death.First Minister Alex Salmond described

his death as ‘sad and shocking news,’while Lord Advocate Frank Mulhollandsaid he would be ‘sorely missed.’

CircumstancesMr McBride had been in Pakistan toattend the wedding in Lahore of a relativeof Aamer Anwar, a Scottish civil rightlawyer.“The last couple of days he complained

about being unwell and had gone to bedearly… and after the wedding he leftearly,” Mr Anwar said, adding that staffwho broke into his room found him dead.“I think it’s a massive loss to the legalcommunity—and to the whole of Scot-

land. He was the outstanding lawyer of hisgeneration. The thing that always stoodout about Paul is that he knew every-body—not just the people at the top buteverybody to the bottom. He knew every-body on first-name terms. He was full oflife and he was highly respected.”Superintendent Faisal Gulzar, of Lahore

police, said the local police did not sus-pect foul play.A statement issued on behalf of Mr

McBride’s family asked the media to‘respect the privacy of his family.’

TributesThe First Minister led the tributes to MrMcBride, who was called to the ScottishBar in 1988 and appointed a QC at the ageof 35, said to be the youngest ever inthe UK.“This is sad and shocking news,” he said.

“Paul McBride was an outstanding advo-cate, and a very substantial public figure inScotland. Paul’s genius lay not just inapplying his first-class mind to the complex

procedures of Scots Law, but also his unri-valled ability to explain and promote thelaws of Scotland to a wider public.“His reservoir of talent was great

indeed, and I believe he had so much moreto contribute to the law, and to the greatdebate on Scotland’s future.”Celtic manager Neil Lennon said the

death of Paul McBride, who had acted ashis lawyer, had left a ‘huge void’ in his life.“On behalf of myself, my backroom

staff and my players, I would like to sendour sincere condolences to Paul’s family,”he said. “I am completely devastated. Paulwas a close friend of mine and my family.Paul’s passing has left a huge void in ourlives. He was a magnificent man with abrilliant mind, and when he walked into aroom he was a force of nature.”A spokesman for the Faculty of Advo-

cates said the group was shocked by the‘untimely death of one of Scotland’s mostprominent QCs.’


Scottish legal profession marks the sad passing of Scottish Catholic lawyer with MassTributes paid to Paul McBride QC

By Ian Dunn

SCOTLAND’S bishops areconsidering selling off someitems from the historicalcollection at the CatholicArchives to enable it toremain open for scholars.The Church is currently

struggling to find the necessary£150,000 a year to keep theColumba House archives openafter backing from a privatetrust was stopped due to thecurrent financial climate’seffect on interest rates.In the longer term, the Scot-

tish bishops intend to split thematerial now managed by theScottish Catholic Heritage Col-lections Trust (SCHCT), headedby Archbishop Mario Conti ofGlasgow, between AberdeenUniversity Library and a newfacility on Glasgow’s southside. However some Catholichistorians have questioned thewisdom of these choices.Peter Kearney, director of the

Scottish Catholic Media Office,said the Bishops’ Conference ofScotland was working to keepthe archives safe and accessible.“Adeficit in the funding of the

Scottish Catholic Archives hashad to be met from the funds ofthe Bishops’ Conference,” hesaid. “As a resource forresearchers and scholars, access tothem is completely free of charge.

As a consequence, the Churchunderwrites these costs as aservice to the wider community.”Mr Kearney said that because

the bishops wished the archivesto continue to be free at thepoint of access, they were seek-ing new sources of funding.“The possibility of selling

some non-core items held in thecollection has been examined bythe SCHT trustees,” he said.“Some illuminated manuscriptshave been identified for possiblesale, including a Book of Hours(a decorated collection ofprayers and psalms). No deci-sion has been taken on whetheror not any item will be sold butany such action would only betaken with the intention of main-taining the collections and ensur-ing long-term access to them.”Mr Kearney also said that in

the longer term ‘there is in placean agreement with AberdeenUniversity for the historic core ofthe archives to be relocated there’while ‘other archival material,along with the ever-growingmodern archive of the Bishops’Conference, will, in time, berelocated to a single site in Glas-gow, with modern archive stor-age facilities which would allowfor the secure care of the recordsof the Church. Progress towardsthis goal is currently constrained,however, by the difficult eco-nomic conditions.’

Michael Turnbull, a Catholichistorian, said that the commu-nity of scholars that used thearchives at Columba Housewere ‘shocked’ to contemplatesome parts of the collectionbeing sold off. He also said hebelieved the collection shouldremain in Edinburgh.“For all that most Catholics

live in the west, Edinburgh isthe capital so for that reason itwould be good for the archivesto remain here,” he said. “Alsothe other major archives ofScotland are here in Edinburghso it would be much more con-

venient for historians if theCatholic archives are also here.”Professor Tom Devine, who

recently retired as the chair ofScottish history at EdinburghUniversity, said: “I am aston-ished that what seems to be con-sidered—but, thankfully, not yetdecided— is the selling off ofsome of the most important arte-facts associated with ScottishCatholic heritage for reasons ofproperty acquisition. This is thekind of decision or proposal thatshould be debated within theChurch and not taken in secrecybehind closed doors.”

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By John Newton

CARDINAL Keith O’Brienhopes the Church mightconsider the case for saint-hood for Catholic Pakistanpolitician Shahbaz Bhattiwho was killed for standingup for Christian rights, asuggestion gaining grass-roots support in Pakistan.In a statement issued to mark

the first anniversary last weekof Mr Bhatti’s death, the cardi-nal expressed his hope that theChurch will look into the optionof Canonising Mr Bhatti (right).Appointed federal minister for

minorities, a cabinet position inPakistan’s government, Mr Bhattitook up the cause of religiousfreedom, speaking out againstpersecution and in so doingknowingly put his life in danger.Noting that the Canonisation

process normally begins fiveyears after the candidate’sdeath, Cardinal O’Brienexpressed his hopes Mr Bhatti’scase would be looked into.

“When that time comes Ibelieve the Church should veryseriously examine the questionof whether Shahbaz Bhattimight be declared a saint,” hesaid. “It would be wonderful tothink that… Shahbaz Bhatticould become a patron for Jus-tice and Peace in Pakistan orindeed Asia.”Cardinal O’Brien’s call to

examine Mr Bhatti’s worthi-ness for sainthood was made ina statement to Catholic charityAid to the Church in Need,which is one of the organisersbehind an event in central Lon-don honouring the Pakistanipolitician tomorrow.The peace rally and concert

will be led by the British Pak-istani Christian Association,commemorating the anniver-sary of Mr Bhatti’s death andcalls for changes to Pakistan’sblasphemy laws and the waythey are enforced.The blasphemy laws impose

sentences including executionand life imprisonment foroffences against Islam—and MrBhatti was murdered for speak-

ing out after Asia Bibi becamethe first woman to be sentencedto death under these laws.In his call to look into the

possibility of the Catholicpolitician being Canonised,Cardinal O’Brien describedhim as a man who had livedand died for his Christian faith.“From what we know of his

life and work, Shahbaz Bhattiappears to have been a trueman of God, who led a life ofheroic virtue,” the cardinalsaid. “His final interviewreveals that he foresaw that hemight die for what he believedin and was not afraid to join hisLord on the Cross. His commit-ment to Christ suggests thathere is an individual whose lifeand faith is worthy of examina-tion [to see if he might bedeclared a saint] and it may bethat in the fullness of timeShahbaz Bhatti is raised to thedignity of the altars.”Catholics in Pakistan backed

the cardinal’s call, as Masseswere held across the country tomark the anniversary of MrBhatti’s death.“There is no doubt in my

mind—the Church should con-sider declaring Shahbaz Bhattia saint; his life should be docu-mented,” Fr Bonnie Mendes,Caritas Asia’s former regionalcoordinator said. “He was atrue Catholic and was killed forhis Faith. The Church needs tocome together and promote thecause to Canonise him.”

� Additional reporting byIan Dunn

Historical Catholic archive items may be sold off

Cardinal O’Brien leads calls forCanonisation of Shahbaz Bhatti

4 NEWS FEATURE SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday March 9 2012

In a special feature, we find that Pope Pius XI climbed many mountains literally and metaphorically during the tenure of his Papacy

The Holy Father who so loved the landBy Rennie McOwan

MOST weekends groups of hardy people setout from the parishes on long or short treksand these walking groups have come to bejocularly known as the Holy Soles. It’s apleasant sight, good people enjoying the Scot-tish hills, moors, coasts and rural countrysideand these activities would surely havebrought a blessing from one of our bestknown Popes—Pope Pius XI.He was born in 1857 at Desio, below Mount

Rosa in the Alps, and as a boy and a young manexplored the peaks and passes of that great range.His climbs included Mount Rosa, The Domm,Mount Blanc and the famous Matterhorn and hecame to be regarded as one of the world’s leadingmountaineers. He developed a stamina whichenabled him in later times to deal with a massiveand fearsome work load.The son of a silk manufacturer, and known as

Achille Ratti, he studied for the priesthood inMilan and at the Gregorian University in Rome.He became one of the college of doctors of thefamous Ambrosian Library, in Milan, in 1888 andwas an acknowledged expert in paleography, thescience of deciphering ancient documents. He wasappointed chief librarian and then vice presidentof the Vatican Library. He became Archbishop ofMilan in 1921 and then a cardinal.When he was Pope he opposed the youth activ-

ities of Fascist governments like Nazi Germanyand Benito Mussolini’s Italy.Adolf Hitler signed aconcordat with the Church in 1933, but the rela-tionship soured and Pope Pius denounced the NaziGovernment and he also analysed athiestic Com-munism and protested about the persecution of the

Church in Spain, Russia and Mexico.In this period he was generally far from the

world of mountains, speaking out against braggardnationalism, racism, anti-semitism and for humandignity. He established the new feast of Christ theKing to recall the rights of religion in the state. Hecalled for social justice and for the laity to have agreater role in the life of the state and the Church,a movement he called Catholic Action and hecalled for increased missionary action. He foundedVatican Radio and reconstituted the PontificalAcademy of Sciences with a large internationalmembership.

A love of the landAgainst that background, and when still a rela-tively young man, he must have missed the worldof the great peaks, the beautiful snows, iced ridgesand the glittering ambience of the Alps.A close friend who is also a top level mountia-

neer, and who has also climbed the Matterhorn,gave me an indefinite loan of a heart stirringbook—the English language translation of a vol-ume written in 1923 by Pope Pius entitled Climbson Alpine Peaks. It has an introduction by BishopLouis Casartelli of Salford a close adviser of thePope, who recounts an incident which showed thatPius XI was in the front rank of mountaineering.A colleague of the future Pope said: “On the gla-

cier our guide fell into a crevasse, and would haveperished had it not been for the prescence of mind,skill and strength with which Ratti held the ropeand little by little succeded in drawing him backto safety.”Bishop Casartelli also says thatAchile Ratti’s ele-

vation to the Papacy did not destroy his love ofAlpin-ism though it did ‘cut him off from its pursuits.’

The Pope sent a message to the Mount Everestexpedition of the day saying: “May God whodwells on the heights, bless the expedition,” andthe Alpine Club of London sent him a message ofcongratulation when he became Pope. The clubsaid it rejoiced ‘at the election of so distinguisheda mountaineer to the Papacy.’Bishop Casartelli wrote of the attempt then to

scale Everest and the Holy Father’s reaction to it.“When the Pope lately received the handsome

illustrated report of that famous deed of moun-taineering, he sat up quite late at night reading it,”the bishop said. “The Himalayan climbers also hadthe grateful idea of sending to His Holiness a frag-ment of rock broken from the highest point whichthey reached, handsomely mounted in silver, withthe names of all the expeditions engraved on aplate, and enclosed in a mahogany case.”Bishop Casartelli commented: “Nothing has

given him greater pleasure than the courteousMount Everest expedition. This memento PopePius XI greatly values—a photograph of it liesbefore me as I write.”A foreword to the English language edition of

the Pope’s book was written by English moun-taineer Douglas Freshfield.“English mountaineers must feel greatly

indebted to His Holiness for allowing them to readthese spirited accounts of his diary and successfulclimbs of 30 years ago,” he said. “They show inevery page the kindliness and humour of the man,as well as the technical skill and judgment of thetrue mountaineer. They bear eloquent witness to hispassion for the heights and the glories they reveal.“Most of his readers will lay down the book

with the hope that the course of Italian politics mayallow Pope Pius X I to live to enjoy once more the

sunrise on the crest he conquered so gallantly.”

Mountaineering zestThe Pope’s mountaineering zest spread to Britainin 1940. Bishop TB Pearson, Auxilary Bishop inLancaster, himself a rock climber, set out to find anold barn or similar building and turn it into a basefor outdoor people. He sought to turn it to a sitewhere the Pope’s love of hills and mountains couldbe copied and developed and where outdoor folkcould go to Mass.Bishop Pearson founded the Achille Ratti

Climbing Club and in our own day its membershiphas grown to over 700. The club now owns fourbuildings, three in the English Lake District andone in North Wales.I have had the pleasure of staying overnight in

the one known as Bishop’s Scale, sited at the footof the Langdale Pikes, in the Lake District, andattending Mass before heading for the hills.Suggestions have been made from time to time

to have a Scottish branch of the Achille RattiClimbing Club, but they have so far come to noth-ing. This is a great pity because empty buildingsare not uncommon in the Scottish countryside andthere would be an enthusiasm for the memory ofAchille Ratti. The old Catholic church at Inverie,in Knoydart, in the west Highlands, would havemade an excellent base, but it went on the openmarket and it was bought and changed into a pri-vate dwelling house.Achille Ratti was a remarkable man and it

would be good to see him remembered in ourmountain world of Scotland.

Pope Pius XI’s love for mountaineering was shared bymany people the world over

LOCAL NEWS 5Friday March 9 2012 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

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By Ian Dunn

THE Scottish Catholic InternationalAid Fund has welcomed the news thatthe Scottish Government is to createa Climate Justice Fund in accordancewith a pledge in the nationalists’man-ifesto at the last election.Stewart Stevenson (right), Minister for

Environment and Climate Change, madethe announcement during the world’s firstparliamentary debate on the subject of cli-mate justice, at the Scottish Parliamentlast Thursday.“It is a travesty that it is the poorest people

in the world’s most undeveloped countrieswho are hardest hit by climate change,” MrStevenson said. “They are least able torespond to the impact of increasingly erraticweather patterns and ever more frequent cli-mate-related disasters. This situation cannotcontinue and the onus is on the internationalcommunity to take action. Therefore I ampleased to confirm to Parliament that theScottish Government is progressing plans toestablish a Scottish Climate Justice Fund,which will be launched in the next fewmonths.”Mr Stevenson added that the fund, which

is excepted to be operational from theSpring, ‘will spend several million pounds

a year on helping people in the world’spoorest countries adapt to the challenge ofClimate Change.’

Step forwardPatrick Grady, SCIAF’s advocacy manager,said it was a great step forward and testamentto the power of the charity’s campaign.“SCIAF warmly welcomes the

announcement that the Scottish Govern-ment will create a newClimate Justice Fundin the near future,” Mr Grady said. “Welook forward to hearingmore about the sizeand operation of the fund in due course.“Thousands of SCIAF supporters have

contacted theirMSPs and the Scottish Gov-ernment over the last year, calling for addi-tional funding to tackle climate change indeveloping countries.”He added that the debate in the Scottish

Parliament ‘demonstrated cross-party sup-port for the concept of climate justice, and aclear recognition of widespread public con-cern about the impact of climate changearound the world.’

Much-needed helpMr Grady said that the fund would providehelp to those who most needed it.“Urgent and substantial action is needed

to support vulnerable communities in devel-oping countries where lives and livelihoodsare already being lost due to climatechange,” he said. “Countries like Scotlandsecured huge economic benefits from thehistorical use of fossil fuels. It is only fairthat we should stand in solidarity with thosenow affected and pay our fair share to helpthe most vulnerable adapt to the climatechallenges they face.”SCIAF’s latest report, Balancing the

books:Making climate adaptation funding areality, published in October 2011, high-lighted the disproportionate impacts climatechange is having in developing countriesand called on industrialised governments,including Scotland, to provide new andurgent finance to support developing coun-tries build resilience to climate change.


Scottish Government to honour election promise of substantial financial commitmentSCIAF welcomes climate justice

NEWS IN BRIEF

St Mary’s Primary School damaged by fireBy Martin Dunlop

AN UNOCCUPIED Catholicprimary school building inLarkhall was badly damagedin an extensive fire early onTuesday morning.More than 35 firefighters bat-

tled the blaze at St Mary’s Pri-mary School for around fivehours after part of the schoolbuilding partially collapsed dur-ing the fire, while a drain coverwas blown 30 feet in the air aftergas leaked into the sewers beforeigniting.The St Mary’s building was

unoccupied as staff and pupilswere last month decanted tonearby Glengowan PrimarySchool ahead of work beginningon a new school building at the StMary’s site.Fr Stephen Rooney, parish

priest at the adjacent St Mary’s

Church, confirmed that no dam-age had been done to the churchpremises, which lie adjacent tothe school building, and that fire-fighters were still on the scene onTuesday afternoon and the sur-rounding road was blocked off.OnTuesday a spokesperson for

South Lanarkshire Council said:“We can confirm there has been afire at St Mary’s Primary,Larkhall. The staff and pupils ofSt Mary’s Primary School havebeen decanted to nearby Glen-gowan Primary School sinceearly February to allow work tostart on the rebuild of a new StMary’s school. Therefore theschool is open as normal thismorning, and is unaffected by thefire on the former site.“The fire service is in atten-

dance and the damage is beingassessed.”The blaze was extinguished at

around 7.35am onTuesdaymorn-ingwith firefighters remaining onthe scene to dampen down theschool building.

“This was a severe fire thatpresented significant challengesand risks, especially as the struc-ture was weakened by fire andcollapsing as we tackled theflames,” Group commanderMar-tin Millar of Strathclyde Fire andRescue said of the fire.“Due to the super response of

our crews, we were able to con-tain the fire quickly and prevent itfrom spreading, allowing us toprotect a listed section of theschool and save it for future com-munity use.”A full investigation into the

cause of the blaze, in conjunctionwith Strathclyde Police, wasexpected to begin on Tuesday.


PORT GLASGOW PARISHRELEASES DVD FOR KENYAADVD launch focused on thework of the Live With HopeHIV/AIDS clinic in Kericho,Kenya will take place at theHoly Family Church, Port Glas-gow, this Sunday.The DVD is intended to raise

awareness of HIV/AIDS, themissions and world poverty andwas made during a recent train-ing visit to the clinic, which isrun by Sr Placida McCann fromGreenock, of a group thatincluded Fr Brian McGee,parish priest at the Holy FamilyChurch. The DVD launch willtake place at the Port Glasgowchurch at 3pm on Sunday andcopies will be on sale for £3.

NEWMAN ASSOCIATION LOOKSAT THE BEAUTIFUL GAMESECTARIANISM, Scots Lawand the Beautiful Game is thetitle of an evening of dialoguethat will be hosted by the New-man Association on ThursdayMarch 22 at 7.30pm.The dialogue will feature

John McGovern, solicitor advo-cate and past president of theGlasgow Bar Association andBrian Fitzpatrick, advocate andformer head of First Minister’spolicy unit and former MSP.The talk at Glasgow Univer-

sity Catholic chaplaincy’s Turn-bull Hall is free for NewmanAssociation members and £3 fornon-members.

DOCUMENTARY ON HOLYROODSECONDARY STARTS MARCH 12ATHREE-part BBC documen-tary, High School, focused onHolyrood Secondary School,Glasgow, will begin on Mondayevening. Filming for the one-hour programmes took place atHolyrood, Europe’s largest sec-ondary school, last year. Thedates for the screenings areMonday March 12, 19 and 26.

By Alastair Cherry

CATHOLICISM and themodern Scottish novel wasthe title of this year’s GillisLecture on February 28 byLieutenant CommanderDairmid Gunn (right) at theinvitation of the Heritageand Arts Commission of StAndrews and EdinburghArchdiocese.The annual lecture took

place at Edinburgh’s LauristonJesuit Centre and the eveningopened with a warm welcomefrom Fr Jim Crampsey SJ,superior of the Sacred Heartcommunity at Lauriston, whowas followed by Mgr StephenRobson, chancellor of St

Andrews and Edinburgh Arch-diocese, who introduced thespeaker with a brief accountof his distinguished career.At one time naval attaché in

Moscow with the BritishEmbassy, Mr Gunn is nowretired and has edited a num-ber of works relating to hisuncle, the Scottish writer NeilGunn, as well as lecturing andwriting on Scottish literatureand spirituality.The nephew of one of Scot-

land’s major 20th centurynovelists he is in a unique

position to speak on the sig-nificance of the novel in therecent history of ScottishCatholic culture.In the Gillis Lecture, Mr

Gunn traced the origins of theScottish novel to its 19th cen-tury roots, in particular to SirWalter Scott, relating it to thecontemporary English andEuropean background.He noted that a distinctively

Scottish Catholic contributiondid not begin to emerge untilthe decades after the FirstWorld War, with the novels ofCompton Mackenzie, FionnMacColla, Patrick Macgilland Bruce Marshall. He spokeof the work of George Scott-Moncrieff, Muriel Spark andthe Orcadian George MackayBrown, and pointed out thatmany of the writers he hadmentioned were converts toCatholicism, before focusingon the work of a living novel-ist, Andrew O’Hagan.

A novellecture

6 SCHOOLS NEWS SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday March 9 2012SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

SUPPORTING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

By Martin Dunlop

STAFF and pupils from St Andrew’sSecondary School, Glasgow, weredelighted to welcome special guest,Susan Boyle to the school to help themlaunch their Lenten charities appeal.The Catholic singing star was present at

St Andrew’s on Friday February 24 asBishop Emeritus John Mone of Paisleycelebrated Mass at the school to mark thebeginning of Lent. The bishop was joinedby Fr Joseph Sullivan, StAndrew’s schoolchaplain, and clergy from three diocesesfor the celebration of Mass.

SecretSt Andrew’s headteacher, Gerry Lyons,and Josephine Smith, principal teacher ofRE at the school, managed to keep the

identity of their special guest secret fromthe pupils, who, according to Ms Smith,were ‘absolutely thrilled’ to see Ms Boylejoin them for the day of celebration.“Itwas a lovely celebration and a beautiful

Mass,” Ms Smith said. She added that, fol-lowing theMass,Ms Boyle enjoyed a ‘five-star’meal preparedbyStAndrew’shospitalitystudents and home economics departmentand took time to speak to the pupils, signautographs and even hold some one-to-one interviews with some lucky pupils.

CharityThe school asked Ms Boyle to nominate acharity to be among those that benefitfrom the St Andrew’s community’snumerous fundraising events that will takeplace throughout Lent.Ms Boyle chose the Catholic Grandpar-

ents Association, which joins Mary’sMeals, SCIAF, the Salesian Missionaries,Mill Hill Fathers, LEPRA, Maggie’s Can-cer Care, SCOPE and Alzheimer’s Scot-land as the charities that will benefit fromthis year’s fundraising activities.Aconcert at St Thomas’Church, Riddrie

and a Big Hush sponsored silence, involv-ing thewhole school, have alreadymanagedto raise more than £6300 for charity andstaff and pupils are working hard to ensurethat tally can grow in the coming weeks.


Susan Boyle helps the Glasgow secondary school launch its Lenten charities appealSinger gives St Andrew’s a charity boost

SIXTH year students at StAloysius’College, Glasgow,were recently given thechance to grill a member ofthe House of Lords, as formerLabour whip Lord McAvoyvisited the Jesuit school.Lord McAvoy, the former

MP for Rutherglen and Hamil-ton West, visited St Aloysius aspart of the Peers in Schoolsprogramme, which has beenrunning across the UK since2007 and has involved around30,000 young people in around500 schools.The work and role of the

House of Lords was one of themain topics covered, while LordMcAvoy also took the opportu-nity to explain to the S6 pupilsthe importance of participatingin the democratic process in theUK. The discussion was fol-lowed by a question and answersession, which left LordMcAvoy suitably impressed.He took questions on various

aspects of the parliamentary

process and life at Westminster,some of which sparked lengthydiscussion, as pupils listenedintently to the words of LordMcAvoy.Kieran Devlin, an S6 pupil at

the college, said that LordMcAvoy was ‘informative,witty and down to earth.’“His views were interesting

and he explained the reasonsbehind them clearly and logi-cally,” Kieran said.Matt Giroux, head of S6 at St

Aloysius, organises guest speak-ers for final year pupils, and wasdelighted to add Lord McAvoyto the schedule for 2012.“This was a fantastic oppor-

tunity for our students to inter-act with someone who knowsthe parliamentary system insideout, as it can sometimes seemfar removed from their dailylives,” he said.

From left to right: Roisin Mulholland(S6); Lord McAvoy; John Stoer, HeadMaster of St Aloysius’ College; LewisCoultas (Head Boy)

St Aloysius pupils get the chanceto lord it over former Labour whip

MORE than 150 Lanarkshireschool pupils learned aboutFairtrade and children’srights and responsibilitiesat a special conferenceorganised by St Peter’sand St Elizabeth’s PrimarySchools in Hamilton.Representatives from 20

schools spent a day last monthat South Lanarkshire Council’sHamilton headquarters, dis-cussing the theme Rights andResponsibilities, which tied inwith the Fairtrade Fortnighttheme of Take a Step.The council’s provost, Rus-

sell Clearie, officially openedthe event on Thursday February23 and was in agreement withthe conference’s theme.“I thought the heading for

today was fabulous, it was veryimaginative and it makes youthink about leadership andresponsibilities,” he said. “Wejust need to take a step with Fair-trade, it’s not about making big,big changes.”Provost Clearie also informed

the children present that ‘the dayalso gives you the chance to makegood friends from other schools.’Christine Emmett—UK teacher

of the year 2011—who teaches atSt Elizabeth’s Primary School,said that the conference hasbeen running for ten years andhas grown significantly.“The conference has grown so

much in that time and this year’sevent was fantastic,” she said. “Ithelps to share the message abouthow important children’s rightsand responsibilities are.”Local councillors and teach-

ers posed as bankers on the daywith pupils working on global

negotiations, with one memberof each group working againstthe team’s agenda.Bruce Wilkinson and Linsey

Crooks from children’s charity,UNICEF were also there tosupervise and spread the mes-sage about children’s rights.“We’ve been coming along to

this event for the last four yearsand our involvement has beenwith regards to children’s rights,this particular event looks at anumber of things,” MrWilkinson

said. “It looks at Fairtrade but alsolooks atArticle 12 of the UNCon-vention on the Rights of the Child,that children should have a sayand it’s very important to makesure these children pass on themessage to others at their school.”

Lanarkshire schools learn their rights and responsibilities

Councillors Bobby Lawson, PeterCraig and Jim Handybode alongwith UNICEF representatives andpupils from some of the 20 primariesenjoy a Fairtrade banana during abreak in the conference

PIC: TOM EADIE

Pupils from Our Lady’sPrimary School,Raploch, Stirlingrecently visited RobertBurns’ BirthplaceMuseum in Alloway aspart of their study onthe life and works ofScotland’s nationalbard. The pupils enjoyedtaking part in a numberof workshops and alsohad the opportunity toexplore the poet’sbirthplace throughguided tours

SPOTLIGH

TON

...

Bishop Emeritus John Mone joins Susan Boyle,Fr Joseph Sullivan, St Andrew’s SecondarySchool pupils and headteacher Gerry Lyonsat the launch of the school’s Lenten charitiesappeal PIC: PAUL McSHERRY

NATIONAL NEWS 7Friday March 9 2012 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

By Dominic Lynch

FAMILY, friends and hundreds ofmourners gathered to pay their finalrespects to Irish Catholic comedianFrank Carson, who was laid to restlast Saturday in his native city ofBelfast.A funeral Mass was celebrated for Mr

Carson at the city’s St Patrick’s Churchand— before he was buried in MilltownCemetery—the cortege stopped outsideBelfast’s Protestant St Anne’s Cathedral,where Dean Rev John Mann led a tributeand prayers on the church’s steps.

Funeral MassThe former Bishop of Derry, EdwardDaly, was the main celebrant of thefuneral Mass and he described Mr Carson,who died last month in his hometown ofBlackpool at the age of 85 after a long bat-tle with cancer, as an ‘extraordinarily gen-erous’ and compassionate man who hadoften asked him to pray for colleagueswho were ill.“Frank, I think, would be mildly

amused by the manner in which he hasbeen almost Canonised in recent days,”Bishop Daly, who was a close friend of MrCarson, said at the Mass.“He was a Prime Minister of fun—that

was his mission in life.”He added that Mr Carson fondly remem-

bered his friend as a ‘mischievous and ras-cally character,’ but also someone who hada deep care for those in difficulties.

Papal knighthoodIn 1987, Pope John Paul II conferred onMr Carson a Knighthood of the Order ofSt Gregory to recognise his extensivework for charity and as mourners filed outof the church on Saturday, a guard of hon-our flanked the coffin bearing a sword andthe trappings of Mr Carson’s knighthood.Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin

McGunniess was among mourners at theMass, which was also attended by fellowcomedians Lenny Henry, Stan Boardman

and Roy Walker, TV presenter EamonnHolmes and sports personalities Pat Jen-nings, BarryMcGuigan and Dennis Taylor.“Frank was a nice man, whenever he

went into the room, even before he cameinto the room, he was approachable, hewould go over and talk to people,” MrBoardman said. “He was a sort of uncle,everybody used to call him Uncle Frank.”Mr Carson is survived by his wife, Ruth,

three children, Majella, Tony and Aidan,10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Family, friends and hundreds of mourners pay final respects to much-loved Irish comicA final farewell to Frank Carson UK FAITH leaders have

joined together to warn Jus-tice Secretary Ken Clarkethat his legal aid bill willprevent domestic abuse vic-tims from escaping violentpartners.There has been fierce opposi-

tion within the House of Lordsto the Ministry of Justice’s pro-posals and, on Monday, thegovernment’s attempts to limitlegal aid suffered a successionof defeats that included peersrejecting, by a majority of 37,Mr Clarke’s proposals torestrict legal support for vic-tims of domestic violence.A letter—which was organ-

ised by the Caritas SocialAction Network and signed byten leading clerics and heads offaith organisations, includingArchbishop Peter Smith ofSouthwark—was releasedahead of the House of Lordsbeginning a series of crucialvotes on government reformsaimed at saving £350millionfrom the Ministry of Justice’sannual legal aid budget.Faith leaders have warned

Mr Clarke (above right) thatlegal aid ‘is nothing short ofessential for many victims ofdomestic abuse to escape thehorrendous circumstances thatthey face.’ “Without this sup-port they would be unable tosecure recourse in relation tofundamental issues such asinjunctions, housing or accessto children, potentially trappingthem in a cycle of mistreatmentand fear,” they write. “Legalaid frequently allows for theresolution of domestic abusecases before they escalate, insome cases avoiding seriousinjuries or even loss of life.”The proposed list of ‘objec-

tive evidence of domestic vio-lence,’ required to qualify for

legal aid, appears restrictivelynarrow, the letter adds.“Most worryingly, the fact

that someone has used special-ist domestic violence services,provided by voluntary agenciessuch as women’s refuges, willnot necessarily be accepted asevidence,” the faith leaders say.“This may leave many victimsin dire need of support butwithout the ‘right kind of evi-dence’ to secure it.”Caritas Social Action Net-

work estimates that almost halfof domestic abuse victims willno longer be able to accesslegal aid under new criteria butMr Clarke said that ‘Britain’slegal aid bill is far greater thanin other comparable nations.’Following Monday’s defeat in

the Lords, Helen O’Brien, chiefexecutive of Caritas SocialAction Network said: “We arepleased that the House of Lordsrecognised that vast numbers ofwomen, men and children wereat great risk if this bill waspassed unamended. The accept-ance of a wider range of evi-dence will allow a greaternumber of victims to escapeabuse and provide safer andmore stable environments for thethree quarters of a million chil-dren affected by domestic abuse.We call for the government toaccept these amendmentswhen the bill returns to theCommons.”

THE leader of the CatholicChurch in England andWaleswill launch and bless a newjumbulance this weekend,which will ensure people inneed can continue to enjoy apilgrimage to Lourdes.Archbishop Vincent Nichols

(right) will perform the blessingof the jumbulance—a speciallydesigned coach ambulance,which provides safe and com-fortable transport for travelerswith disabilities and illnesses—for the charity Across at Lon-don’s Westminster Cathedraltomorrow afternoon.The jumbulance, dedicated to

St Bernadette of Lourdes, willbe parked in the piazza in frontof the cathedral and the blessingand dedication service will befollowed by the celebration ofMass in the cathedral.The newest jumbulance is the

latest in a long line of vehiclesbuilt to take those most in needon pilgrimage to Lourdes.The idea of specialist trans-

port to Lourdes was first con-ceived by the founders ofAcross’ predecessor charity, TheAcross Trust.When theAcross Trust ceased

operations in late 2001, its sistercharity,Across Scotland, took upthe challenge of continuing the

work of the jumbulance trans-portation to Lourdes.A monumental fundraising

effort, aided and supported byparishioners of St Bridget’sChurch, Baillieston, saw AcrossScotland raise almost £200,000 inthe space of one month and sub-sequently purchase two oldervehicles, ensuring that the charitycould continue taking pilgrims toLourdes from Easter 2002.Across Scotland became

Across, bought another jumbu-lance in 2007, and in the past tenyears has enabled groups of pil-grims to travel to Lourdes everyweek from Easter until October.The new Across jumbulance

is fitted with all the facilitiesneeded to care for those most inneed, including a lift, sevenbeds, a fully accessible toilet anda kitchen.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols set to blessnew jumbulance for Lourdes pilgrims

Faith leaders warn Justice Secretaryover the implications of legal aid bill

TTVV pprreesseenntteerr EEaammoonnnn HHoollmmeessaanndd DDeeppuuttyy FFiirrsstt MMiinniisstteerr MMaarrttiinnMMccGGuuiinnnneess ccaarrrryy tthhee ccooffffiinn ooff tthheellaattee ccoommeeddiiaann FFrraannkk CCaarrssoonn

SISTER Marie-Therese, co-founder of the Dundee-basedLawside Romania Fund, hasdied at the age of 91.Born in West Limerick, she

arrived in Dundee in 1937. Herbrother was a Franciscan priestbased at the friary in TullidephRoad. The then superior ofneighbouring Lawside Conventasked if he had a sister whomight have a vocation to the reli-gious life.Thus, a 17-year-old Marie-

Therese arrived in Dundee, and

she was to spend the next 74 yearsin Lawside Convent, the onlycommunity she ever lived in.After studying at St Andrews

University and CraiglockhartCollege in Edinburgh, she taughtin various primary schoolsthroughout Dundee, ending herteaching career as headteacherof St Joseph’s.She also spent much time

instructing children in outlyingparishes of Dunkeld Diocese,preparing them for the Sacra-ments. She was also a well-knownfigure in Dundee’s NinewellsHospital where she worked along-side the chaplain visiting the sick.She was also a great cham-

pion of the rights of the unbornchild and did much to promotethe work of the Society for theProtection of the Unborn Child(SPUC).But it was through her tireless

work for Romanian children thatshe became known to a muchwider public. Despite heradvancing years, she travelledtwice to Romania to work with

some of Europe’s poorest peoplein the post-Ceausescu era, alongwith her co-founder of the fund,Sister Aloysius.Sr Aloysius remains in Roma-

nia working in the BudimexChildren’s Hospital and with thepoor. With her companion basedin Bucharest, Sr Marie-Theresecontinued to work tirelessly forthe fund here and was alwaysfilling boxes and sending parcelsof donations over to the poor inRomania.She became the public face of

the fund and was often seen inthe pages of The Courier receiv-ing cheques from generousdonors. She continually praisedpeople for their generosity andgoodness and kept meticulousrecords of every donation given.A couple of years ago, she

was diagnosed with cancer, andalthough that slowed her up a lit-tle, she continued to work for thefund in any way she could.Superior of the Mercy Con-

vent at Lawside Sister Anna said:“One of the most striking things

about Sr Marie-Therese was hersmile. Even latterly, though ingreat pain, she kept smiling andwas genuinely pleased to see allher visitors, of which there weremany. Just recently, three priestsfrom the US—one of whom isnow a bishop—came to see her.She had known them since theirstudent days and was in regularcorrespondence with them. Shehad friends all over the world.“She was a woman of prayer,

she prayed every day for priestsand for vocations to the religiouslife. She knew generations offamilies and very rarely forgot aname. She just loved people andthey loved her.

“She received the most mar-vellous care from Ninewells, herGP Dr Proudfoot, district andMacmillan nurses and staff at StAnne’s Cottage. I thank them forall they did for her.“She will be very sorely missed

by those of us who lived in com-munity with her, but also bycountless people whose lives shetouched in her own special way.”

OBITUARY

ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINK’SEUROVISION SHOCKCATHOLIC singer EnglebertHumperdink has said he is‘gobsmacked’ by the reactionto the news that he is to repre-sent the UK in this year’s Euro-vision Song Contest.“I have been reading the

coverage online and it is unbe-lievable,” 75-year-old MrHumperdink, whose real nameis Arnold Dorsey, said. “I amgobsmacked. I didn’t expectsuch a reaction, it means a lotto this Leicester lad. I am justthrilled they have chosen me

and I will do my utmost tocome through.”The contest will take place

on May 26 in the Azerbaijanicapital, Baku.

NORTHERN IRELAND’S FUTUREIS CATHOLIC AND FEMALE A REPORT into the NorthernIreland peace process hasfound that its future isCatholic and female.The report, issued by the

Community Relations Council,is the first major stocktaking ofthe Northern Ireland peaceprocess 14 years after the GoodFriday Agreement was signed,and it has found that 60 percent of entrants to higher edu-

cation are Catholic and 60 per cent are female. It alsofound that the workforce isbecoming increasingly femaleand Catholic.The report noted that Catholic

middle classes have been the bigwinner from the peace processso far, but that they are increas-ingly comfortable to stay withinthe union.

TURIN SHROUD REPLICA ONDISPLAY IN NORWICH A REPLICA of the TurinShroud has been on displaythis week at Norwich’s St Johnthe Baptist Cathedral.A photographic reproduction

of the Turin Shroud—which

contains the image of a cruci-fied man, which many peoplebelieve to be Jesus—one of themost debated and controversialreligious relics, forms the cen-terpiece of the cathedral exhi-bition, which will be open untiltomorrow.Deacon Patrick Limacher of

St John’s said the exhibition ofthe replica gives people anopportunity to form their ownopinions on the Turin Shroud’sauthenticity.“It has to be said that the

shroud is probably the moststudied artefact there has everbeen,” he said. “But theauthenticity of it is still in themelting pot.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

8 INTERNATIONAL NEWS SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday March 9 2012SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

By Ian Dunn

YOUNG Catholics across Ireland arebeing called to take part in the 50thInternational Eucharistic Congress inDublin as Catholics across Ireland andthe world are being asked to ring abell for renewal on St Patrick’s day todraw attention to the congress.With less than 100 days to the 50th

International Eucharistic Congress inDublin, young people across Ireland arebeing called to Go Be the Church. YoungIrish Catholics been invited to celebratetheir faith at IEC2012 this summer’s in anevent that is being described as one of themost ambitious youth ministry pro-grammes ever presented in this country.In addition, as the official symbol of the

congress is a bell, Catholics around theworld are to ‘ring for renewal’ on StPatrick’s Day as a gesture of support forthe congress.

Youth appealEach diocese in Ireland is being invited byIEC2012 to bring groups of young peopleto the congress, either for the entire weekor a portion of it. At the end of the week,young people will be given the mission togo back to their parishes to begin localfaith programmes.The Go Be the Church programme will

take place at the Chiara LuceYouth Spaceat the congress in the RDS from June 10-16. Young Catholics between the ages of17 to 25 will be able to engage in a diverserange of activities that include workshops,dramas, interactive catechesis, celebra-tions, concerts, social activities, games,and art.“We are hoping that every parish in Ire-

land will send at least one young personto represent them in the IEC2012 ChiaraLuce Youth Space” Francois-David Fres-chi, IEC2012 youth officer, said. “TheChurch in Ireland needs young people andthe Congress is a fantastic opportunity foryoung adults to explore and celebrate theirfaith.”Around 2500 young people are

expected to participate in this summer’sprogramme.

In preparation for the upcoming con-gress, more than 350 young people fromacross Ulster Diocese gathered in Tyroneon Sunday to celebrate faith throughmusic, workshops and prayer at an eventcalled Crossroads 2012.

Support at CrossroadsThe significant role that youth play in theChurch in Ireland was highlighted by thepresence of Cardinal Seán Brady, Arch-bishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ire-land, whowas the principal celebrant of theEucharist at Crossroads 2012. Bishops con-celebrating the Mass at St Ciaran’s Collegein Ballygawley included Bishop JohnMcA-reavey of Dromore, and Bishop DonalMcKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down andConnor. They were joined by IEC2012diocesan delegates from the Northern dio-ceses.Bishop McKeown emphasised the

important role the youth programme willplay in the upcoming congress.“These are difficult years for everybody

inmodern Ireland—and, in a particular way,for young people. We are all paying theprice for trying to live in the fast lane orcoarsening our hearts with superficiality,”he said. “The 50th International EucharisticCongress 2012 provides a once-in-a lifetimeopportunity for the people of this island topause and reflect on the deep humanhunger; formeaning, love, God, healing andcommunion. Adults may well need to see,hear and listen to young people much morethan the youth need the adults!“The congress is a God-given opportu-

nity to reawaken our idealism throughreflecting on the mystery of love, commu-

nity and service. It is a divine invitation toput communion at the heart of who we areas a people.”The IEC2012Youth Space is named after

Chiara Badano, an ordinary young womaninvolved in the Focolare movement, whodied in 1990 at the age of 18, after suc-cumbing to bone cancer.Because of her qualities as a friend, and

her deep sensitivity to the needs of others,especially the poor, she came to be knownas ‘Chiara Luce’ (Claire ‘the Light’ in Ital-ian). Chiara was Beatified in 2010 and is thepatron saint of the IEC2012Youth Space.

Ring for RenewalThe Ring for Renewal event on StPatrick’s Day will be a unique way of rais-ing the congress’s profile. Like theOlympic torch prepares for the Olympics,the Eucharistic Congress Bell has beengoing all around Ireland calling people toprepare for the congress since St Patrick'sday in 2011. Having visited all 26 dioce-ses in Ireland, the Bell travels to Rome forthis year's St Patrick's Day, bringing aninternational aspect to the call to spiritualrenewal in the heart of the CatholicChurch.On St Patrick’s Day church bells around

the world will ring out for the congressand Catholics are asked to ring a smallbell in their own home in sympathy.

� To support the spiritual journey ofyoung people before and after the con-gress, groups of young people are invitedto dip into the Pastoral Programme whichis available on: http://www.iec2012.ie.

Irish youth invited to Eucharistic Congress, Catholics to Ring for Renewal on St Patrick’s DayCongress has a youthful ring to it

Crisis isnot overfor IrishChurch

THE Catholic Church inIreland is at ‘a breakingpoint’ over the child sexualabuse scandals, Arch-bishop of Dublin DiarmuidMartin has said.Dr Martin said in a televi-

sion interview that the crisis isnot over.Asked whether the Church

in Ireland has reached its

breaking point, ArchbishopMartin responded that it is at avery difficult stage and that thisis ‘enormously’ due to thescandals.Archbishop Martin has

already warned that the Churchin Ireland needs to progressfurther its radical overhaul andreform. He said there is a realdanger today of people saying

the child abuse scandal is over,that it should be buried and thatthe Church should move on.But he said the scandal is

not over and that the protec-tion of children is somethingthat will go on beyond hislifetime and into the future.He added that this is

because ‘the problems arethere.’

VIOLENCE and bloodshedis turning the ‘Arab Spring’into winter, the head ofLebanon’s Maronite Churchhas said.Patriarch Beshara al-Rai,

whose Maronite Church alsohas a strong presence in Syria,said change could not bebrought to the Arab world byforce and that Christians fearedthe turmoil was helpingextremist Muslim groups.“We are with the Arab Spring

but we are not with this springof violence, war, destructionand killing,” he said. “This isturning to winter.”His point was graphically

illustrated by the apostolic nun-cio to Damascus, Mgr MarioZenari who said children wereincreasingly becoming victimsof the civil war in Syria.“I was amazed to see chil-

dren become victims of thisconflict,” he said. “UNICEF isnow saying 500 children havedied. A few days ago I read anews story about a 10 monthold baby who was taken alongwith his entire family—Ibelieve there were 17 people—in a town near Homs: the entirefamily was lined up against awall and machine-gunned.Among them was this 10-month-old baby. A few daysearlier I read another story,even sadder: a child who hadattended the funeral of anothergirl was mowed down by gun-

shots. We are hearing about—and seeing pictures of—somany of these sad cases.”Patriarch Beshara al-Rai said

recent events showed the horrorof violence.“We say that we cannot

implement reforms by forceand arms,” he said. “No onecan guess the scale of the greatlosses and damage which couldresult.”Patriarch Rai, who attended a

memorial service in Iraq lastyear for Christians killed in anattack on a Baghdad church,drew a parallel between Iraqand the rest of the Arab world,saying Christians could bear adisproportionate share of thesuffering.“How can it be an Arab

Spring when people are beingkilled every day?” he said."They speak of Iraq anddemocracy, and one millionChristians out of an original 1.5million have fled Iraq.”The patriarch said all com-

munities in the Middle Eastwere threatened by ‘war andviolence, economic and secu-rity crises,’ but Christians wereparticularly vulnerable becauseof their relatively small anddwindling numbers.

‘Arab spring’ becomes winter ofdiscontent, violence and hatred

Members of the rebel Free SyrianArmy are seen in Homs beforeSyrian troops launched a groundoffensive to try to retake the oppo-sition stronghold

US in freedom of religon battleCARDINAL Timothy Dolanof New York has called onCatholics to become moreinvolved in politics as whathe called a ‘freedom of reli-gion battle’ looms in the US.The cardinal said the US gov-

ernment is engaged in ‘anunwarranted, unprecedented rad-ical intrusion.’And that we ‘livein an era that seems to discovernew rights every day.’ “We’renot trying to impose our teach-ings on anybody,” CardinalDolan said. “We’re simply say-ing, don’t impose your teachingupon us and make us do as achurch what we find uncon-scionable to do.”An amendment to ensure reli-

gious freedom in the face of therecent attempt by PresidentBarack Obama to enforce a con-traception mandate upon thehealthcare that Catholic institu-tions provide to their employeeswas voted down in the US Senatelast week with the help of 13Catholic politicians. Of the 24Catholic members of the US Sen-

ate, 13 Democrats opposed theamendment while 11 Republicansand three Democrats supported it.Senator Roy Blunt of Mon-

tana expressed his disappoint-ment with the narrow defeat, butsaid the ‘fight is not over’ andthat he would continue to workto protect freedom of religion.BishopWilliamLori of Bridge-

port, Connecticut, chairman of theUS Catholic bishops committeeon religious freedom, said that hewould continue working to ‘buildon this base of support’ to defendconscience rights, which is the‘most critical issue before ourcountry right now.’In voting down the Blunt

amendment, the US Senate hastaken ‘the unprecedented step todeny our religious liberties,’according to Matt Smith, presi-dent of lobbying group CatholicAdvocate. The proposedamendment would have allowedhealth care providers to opt outof providing coverage that vio-lates their ‘religious beliefs ormoral convictions.’

FATAL BOMB BLAST AT CHURCHIN THE REPUBLIC OF CONGOASERIES of blasts at a weaponsdepot rocked the capital of theRepublic of Congo last Sundaykilling at least 206 people andtrapping countless others under-neath a collapsed church. Thosein Brazzaville described the sceneas ‘apocalyptic’ as twisted sheetsof metal littered the streets whilechurches, hospitals and homeswere left in ruins. DidierBoutsindi, a government officialof the central African country,said untold numbers of peoplewere trapped in St Louis church,which collapsed after the explo-sions. Loose wiring has beenblamed for the explosion.

PAPAL PRAYERS AFTERPOLISH TRAIN CRASHPOPE Benedict XVI said heheard ‘with sorrow’ the news of adeadly head-on train collision inPoland and has expressed his con-dolences to the victims in atelegram to the president of thePolish bishops’ conference.“The Holy Father assures you

of his prayers for the victims ofthis tragic incident, and joins in themourning of their families and ofall of Poland,” said the telegramVatican Secretary of State Cardi-nal Tarcisio Bertone sent on thePope’s behalf toArchbishop JózefMichalik of Przemysl. Sixteenpeople died andmore than 50wereinjured in the train collision justnorth of Krakow. The front cars ofthe trains were mangled in thecrash, which happened on thenight of March 3. The crash is

Poland’s deadliest train accident inover 20 years. Poland declared twodays of national mourning.

HEART OF DUBLIN’SPATRON SAINT STOLENPOLICE in Ireland are studyingsecurity camera footage from acathedral in Dublin after the pre-served heart of the city’s patronsaint was stolen last weekend. The900-year-old heart of St LaurenceO’Toole was taken from the ironcage where it is normally kept inChrist Church Cathedral, policeand the cathedral said. The barswere wrenched open, allowingaccess to the heart-shapedwoodenbox that held the relic bolted to awall in St Lauds’Chapel. Securitycameras cover the cathedral's wel-come desk, but not the interior ofthe chapel or the cathedral.Addingto the mystery, there was no sign

of a break-in, police said.

NZ EARTHQUAKE DAMAGEDCATHEDRAL TO BE DEMOLISHEDNEW Zealand authorities havedecided to tear down a 131-year-old Anglican cathedral inChristchurch after it was badlydamaged in last year’s devastatingearthquake. The Victorian-era,Gothic-style cathedral, long a fix-ture in Christchurch was badlydamaged in the February 2011earthquake. The quake also killed185 people and destroyed largeareas of the business centre andmore than 6000 homes. TheCatholic Cathedral of the BlessedSacrament was also severely dam-aged in the quake and the localdiocese is still considering thefuture of the historic building ascost of repairs could reach tens ofmillions of pounds.

NEWS IN BRIEF

VATICAN NEWS 9Friday March 9 2012 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

By Stephen Reilly

A TOP Vatican official has called onCatholics around the world to supporttheir oppressed brothers and sisters inthe Holy Land.Cardinal Leonardo Sandri (right), pre-

fect of the Congregation for EasternChurches, said that tension, hostility andeven violence are the ‘daily bread’ ofmany of the Christian communities livingin the biblical lands of the Middle East.In a letter to bishops throughout the

world, Cardinal Sandri asked for wide-spread participation in the annual collectionon behalf of Christians in the Holy Land.The letter was released last weekend.The collection, coordinated by the Con-

gregation for Eastern Churches, is takenup during Good Friday services in manydioceses around the world

Good Friday collectionCardinal Sandri said Good Friday is a spe-cial time to remember Mideast Christians’needs, which ‘are bound up with the suf-ferings of the entire Middle East.’The cardinal said that ‘for the disciples

of Christ, hostility is often the daily breadthat nourishes the faith.’Proceeds of the collection are distrib-

uted to Latin and Eastern Catholic bish-ops, parishes, schools and projects inIsrael, the Palestinian territories, Jordan,Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Egypt.While the focus is on Catholic pastoral

work in the region, he said, the Churchalso offers social services to the needy,whether or not they are Catholic.

“In this way fraternity, which can over-come division and discriminationincreases and gives renewed impetus toecumenical dialogue and interreligiouscollaboration,” he said.

Christians in Holy LandCardinal Sandri noted the ongoing highrates of Christian emigration from theHoly Land as families seek futures freefrom the threat of violence.At the same time, those who stay need

help not only in maintaining their families,but also in preparing for a better future, hesaid. The region’s Christians need ‘sup-port now for schools, medical assistance,critical housing (and) meeting places’.

In addition to the cardinal’s letter, theVatican published a summary report onhow the Franciscan Custos of the HolyLand used the money it received from thecollection in 2010-2011. The friarsimproved facilities for pilgrims at the holysites in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Magdala,Jaffa, Mount Tabor, Nain, Tabgha andMount Nebo. They also provided univer-sity scholarships to 420 students through-out the region; provided counseling,housing and medical care to families inneed; and funded construction or recon-struction projects at Catholic parishes andschools.One threat faced by the Christians of the

Holy Land is increasing numbers of dese-crations of Holy sites.So severely is the vandalism that

Israel’s President Shimon Peres has prom-ised that his country will step up efforts tocombat the vandalism of Christian holysites by suspected Jewish extremists.Mgr Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who is the

Vatican’s custodian of religious sites in theHoly Land, asked the president earlier thisweek to intervene following the sprayingof graffiti on two Christian churches inJerusalem last month.In responsem Mr Peres said that he has

received assurances from Israeli lawenforcement pledging to redouble theirefforts to find the culprits and protectthe sites.

“Please accept my deep shock at theseevents,” President Peres said. “And myhope for continuing a life of tolerance andmutual respect in Jerusalem and all overthe country.”

Catholics worldwide asked to back collection for Christian communities in Biblical landsSupport the Holy Land’s oppressed

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THE Vatican last Wednes-day unveiled secret docu-ments showing Pope PiusXII’s attention to the perse-cution of the Jews duringthe Holocaust.The documents are part of an

unprecedented exhibition inRome of rare Vatican archivesspanning centuries of historyand include a report from aPapal envoy on the conditionsinside seven internment campsin southern Italy.Another document is a letter

from a formerly interned rabbiin 1942 who thanks the thenhead of the Catholic Church forsending aid to the camp includ-ing clothes and linen.A third document is from for-

mer Jewish detainees who metwith the Pope for an audiencein 1944 and expressed theirgratitude for his support.They said the Pope had sent

‘substantial and generous giftsand demonstrated his keen and

paternal interest in our physi-cial, spiritual and moral wellbe-ing’ and said he had savedthem from the threat of depor-tation to Poland in 1942.The Vatican’s second in com-

mand, Secretary of State Cardi-nal Tarcisio Bertone, visited theopening of the exhibition onWednesday and said he hadbeen most struck by the docu-ments relating to the papacy ofPope Pius XII (above).The cardinal said the docu-

ments were part of efforts for‘historical truth.’“The research on the period

of Pope Pius XII has so fargenerated more than two mil-lion files and information aboutprisoners of war,” he said.The head of the Vatican

archives, Sergio Pagano, alsosaid the full archive from PopePius XII would be made avail-able ‘within one or two years’dependant on the Holy Father’sfinal sanction.

THE Holy See representa-tive to the United Nationshas told its Human RightsCouncil in Geneva that ‘ris-ing restrictions on religionaffect more than 2.2 billionpeople,’Archbishop Silvano Tomasi

said that in many countries ‘thegap is growing between widelyaccepted stated principles, andtheir daily application on theground.’ He also told the coun-cil that ‘religions are not athreat, but a resource. Theycontribute to the developmentof civilizations, and this is goodfor everyone.’The archbishop said that ‘the

evolving political situation,wrong perceptions of the role ofreligion, expediency, and subtleambiguities in the understand-ing of secularism’ all lead to‘intolerance and even outrightpersecution of people becauseof their faith or religion.’Archbishop Tomasi went on

to state that ‘serious research

provides reliable data on cur-rent and repetitive patterns ofgross violations of the right tofreedom of religion’ of which‘Christians are not the only vic-tims’ but terrorist attacks on‘Christians in Africa, the Mid-dle East and Asia increased 309per cent between 2003 and2010.’“Approximately 70 per cent

of the world’s population livesin countries with high restric-tions on religious beliefs andpractices, and religious minori-ties pay the highest price,” hesaid. “In general, rising restric-tions on religion affect morethan 2.2 billion people. Theevidence shows that additionalefforts are required from theinternational community inorder to assure the protection ofpeople in their exercise of free-dom of religion and religiouspractice.”The archbishop also stressed

that ‘the Universal Declarationof Human Rights’ should be

respected to ensure ‘that statesshould ensure that all their citi-zens have the right to enjoyfreedom of religion individu-ally, within the family, and as acommunity, and to participatein the public square.’“Religious freedom, in fact,

is not a derived right, or onegranted, but a fundamental andinalienable right of the humanperson,” he said. “A religiousbelief should not be perceivedor considered as harmful oroffensive simply because it isdifferent from that of themajority.“Religions are not a threat,

but a resource. They contributeto the development of civilisa-tions, and this is good foreveryone. Their activities andfreedom should be protected sothat the partnership betweenreligious beliefs and societiesmay enhance the commongood. A culture of tolerance,mutual acceptance and dia-logue is urgent.”

Secret documents show Pope PiusXII’s attention to Jewish persecution

Restrictions on religions will affect billions

POPE ENJOYED AFRICANSTORIES ON RETREATIN REMARKS concluding aweek of spiritual exercises atthe Vatican under the theme ‘thecommunion of Christians withGod,’ Pope Benedict XVIthanked theArchbishop of Kin-shasa, in the DemocraticRepublic of Congo, CardinalLaurent Monsengwo Pasinya,for his guidance during theretreat.

The Pope said he enjoyed inparticular how the cardinal pep-pered his meditations with beau-tiful stories fromAfrica.

JESUS IS THE LIGHT THATNEVER GOES OUTLAST Sunday the Holy Fathersaid that ‘Jesus is the light thatnever goes out.’ During hisAngelus address on the feast ofthe transfiguration, Pope Bene-dict XVI explained to those gath-ered in St Peter’s Square thatthere are essential elementsinvolved when Jesus is transfig-

ured before the apostles, they arethe light and the voice: the divinelight that shines on the face ofJesus, and the voice of the Heav-enly Father who speaks to Him.That day the Pope also visited theRoman parish of John the Bap-tist de la Salle, south of the Ital-ian capital and The Holy Fathercelebrated Mass and met parish-ioners including a group of chil-dren. He told them to learn aboutJesus, the things He did, and saidand how He suffered. He alsotold them to learn about theChurch and the Sacraments.

NEWS IN BRIEF

10 COMMENT SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday March 9 2012SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

IT’S NOT difficult to love Scot-land. We are blessed to havebeen born into one of the mostbeautiful countries God created.And one of the most enlightened

and progressive. Few other countriesprotect the rights of the weakest insociety and help the vulnerable andthe aged as much as this country does.And fewer still offer so much assis-tance to so many of its citizens tomake something of themselves andthus contribute to the common good.And the fact that we offer a haven

to those in the world who are tortured,oppressed and deprived of their basichuman rights ought also to be a sourceof great national pride. You will travellong and far before you enter a coun-try where the dignity of the person isupheld as much as it is in Scotland. Soit’s official then: Scotland is the cat’swhiskers and its pyjamas too.And yet in few other countries is

human life cheaper. In this country themost vulnerable human beings in oursociety are destroyed in their thou-sands and last week the Scottish judi-ciary turned the screw on them just alittle more tightly. Ten thousand abor-tions were carried out in Scotland lastyear. At a time when human life ismost in need of protection from itsbrothers and sisters we destroy it inproportionately greater numbers thanmost other nations. Once, Scotlandwas the world’s engineering works;now it is the planet’s abortion factory.This is a scandal and it cries out toGod for vengeance. But what isequally scandalous is how little we doto oppose Scotland’s culture of death.

Anobstacle course of Olympianaspect awaits a child if it suf-fers the misfortune of starting

its journey inside the womb of a Scot-tish woman.Any detectable imperfec-tion renders this child just a little bitmore vulnerable. A discernible dis-ability will see its poor mother placedunder all sorts of pressure to destroyit. For, in this modern, dystopian Scot-land, we can’t have too many of ourhuman beings limping around withailments and placing the hard-pressedNHS under further duress, can wenow?And God help you, wee man, if

your mother is on an upward careertrajectory. Despite Scotland congratu-lating itself on its promotion of equal-ity in the workplace it seems that we,as a nation, cannot cope with brightwomen who want to be successful andhave a family. How very inclusive andgender-friendly…

And be very afraid if the timing ofyour expected arrival has occurred atan inconvenient stage in her domesticarrangements with your father. Evenworse, your mother does not recallexactly who your father is, nor has nowish to be with him. In these circum-stances Scotland will deem it to havebeen all your fault and you will bedespatched with the full authority ofthe state backed up by the courts.

Now we discover that thealready fragile existence of aScottish unborn child has just

become a little more wobbly. For ifyou are deemed to be of an inconven-ient gender this also renders you vul-nerable to destruction. If you riskupsetting the sexual symmetry ofsome families (‘oh we so wanted awee boy’) you are out of the game.Then there are the poor Habitat

designer infants, for they are accordedthe same status in the lives of theirparents as the furniture and the wall-paper. If any of them pop up just whenthe new Mondeo is on order or thedown payment on the white leathersofa is due, well… nae luck at all.

This country bows to no one inupholding the Universal Declarationof Human Rights.And just in case youforgot it, here isArticle 18. ‘Everyonehas the right to freedom of thought,conscience and religion; this rightincludes freedom to change his reli-gion or belief, and freedom, eitheralone or in community with others andin public or private, to manifest hisreligion or belief in teaching, practice,worship and observance.’Not if you’re a Scottish Catholic.

Alady judge sitting in Edinburghlast week decided that the free-dom of conscience of two

Catholic midwives to opt out of theprocess of state-sponsored infanticidedid not exist. This decision was wel-comed by all of civic Scotland. Andhere is the real reason why.For it means that next up will be

Catholic schools; teachers who don’twant to teach children how to have aphysical homosexual relationship;priests and ministers who don’t wantto marry a gay couple; religious organ-isations that are not deemed to beinclusive; churches who promote gen-der stereotypes; God the Father, TheHoly Family… you get the picture.All this is happening on our watch.

When was the last time your priesttalked about this from the pulpit?

What do you think of KEVIN McKENNA’S comments on abortion Send your points of view to the SCO

Write to Letters, SCO, 19Waterloo St, Glasgow G2 6BT Or e-mail [email protected]

Scotland has much to be proud of, but it is failing to protect unborn children. What lies ahead now?

In few countries is human life cheaper

ALITTLE flurry of snowsuggested to us that winterwas not over. We needed noreminder anyway, as the topsof the hills appeared sugarcoated in the intermittent sun-shine.The village of Leadhills looks

picturesque in high summer buton an early Spring Sunday, itlooked slightly lost and very iso-lated. The AGM of the KilbrydeAngling Club was taking place inthe Hopetoun Arms, whose proudboast is that it is the highest resi-dential hotel in Scotland. It alsohappens to be the place nearest tothe Daer Reservoir where wefish. Our club is always madewelcome, fed, refreshed andoffered a room in which to holdour meeting. As meetings go, thisparticular meeting went! Oncethe AGM is behind us the seasonalways looks invitingly close.There is a sense of anticipationamong the members. Our ageprofile may not place us in the‘first flush of youth’ class,but there is no denying ourenthusiasm.At the heart of the delibera-

tions that took place in thecourse of the meeting was thedebate on whether or not to pur-

chase two new boats. To theuninitiated, one small boat maylook much the same as any othersmall boat. Try sitting in one foranything up to ten hours at astretch and construction andcomfort become a real issue.How a boat drifts is an importantconsideration for any angler andneeds to be well consideredbefore purchase. How a boat han-dles if the wind gets up and thewaves begin to roll is even moreimportant.Personal safety is always our

primary concern. It alwaysseemed to me to be a bit point-less to put life at risk for thesame of a trout. The debate wasanimated.The pros and cons had to be

deliberated. Inevitably, there wasthe question of cost. Suitableboats, even second hand, don’tcome cheap. The decision wastaken to at least investigate thepossibility of obtaining two newboats. With the beginning of theseason only two weeks away that

is a tight schedule.As we drove home, my brother

Gerry and I discussed the out-comes of the meeting and antici-pated the season that lay ahead.We fish together on Fridayevenings once the days lengthenenough to make that possible.Then, the wind speed and theweather forecast begin to take onan ever increasing importance.Fishing is not just about catchingtrout. It is a multi-faceted sport.All winter we have tied flies. Wehave reminisced.Mostly our rememberings are

not about fish but about the everchanging aspects of the Daer, itsbirdlife, its wildlife, its tranquil-lity. It is about the ever changingface of an upland reservoir as itmoves from the depths of winter,through spring to the sighting ofthe first swallows. It is about thereturn of the osprey, the shorteared owls, the soaring buzzardsand the frustrating cormorants. Itis about thousands of frogs inchorus during the mating seasonand then every puddle full ofspawn and then tadpoles. It isabout the mysterious appearanceof the minnows in the shallowsof the reservoir. It is aboutevenings being eaten alive by

‘midgies’ and the complete frus-tration of a flat mirror calm withtrout rising everywhere. It isabout deer bounding across theroad at dusk or at first light. It isabout so many things that fishingand catching a trout is almostincidental. The statement‘I’m going fishing’ is almost mis-leading.I wonder what thoughts were

in the heads of the friends ofJesus when He invited them toaccompany Him on a journey toJerusalem? Jerusalem was theTemple city but it was so muchmore. It was the centre of gov-ernment and it was the centreofcommerce. At its heart cer-tainly, stood the temple but thiswas much more than a buildingand a place of worship. The tem-ple had evolved through genera-tions, into an end in itself, ratherthan a means to an end. In itsinception, the Temple was to bethe central place of worship andsacrifice, dedicated to the gloryof God.By the time of Jesus it had

become something almost totallydifferent. If when I say, ‘Lets gofishing,’ I am talking aboutsomething much more thancatching trout, so when Jesus

said, ‘Let’s go to Jerusalem,’ Hewas talking about somethingmore than sightseeing. To under-stand the actions of Jesus,recounted in the Gospel today,we need to understand how thetemple had evolved from beingthe centre of the worship andpraise of God into what Jesuscalled ‘a robbers den.’Just as there is a ‘tacky sou-

venir’ side to our places of pil-grimage today, so there was inJerusalem at the time of Jesus. Insome ways it was more insidious.The only money that could bespent in the temple was templemoney. Visitors had to changetheir own currency for templemoney. They were charged exor-bitantly for this privilege. Sincethe only place they could spendtemple money was in the templeand its precincts, if they handedtemple money over, they had tochange it back to their own cur-rency for an equally exorbitantrate. Nothing new there then!!All animals for sacrifice had tobe ‘approved.’ It had to bebought from the authorities. Thewhole thing had become a gigan-tic money making scheme and itsoriginal purpose all but forgotten.No wonder Jesus was, wild. No

wonder He drove them out of thetemple.By standing up to them and

challenging their behaviour Jesuswas sowing the seeds of His ownrejection and ultimately, of Hisdeath. Those in power don’t liketo be confronted with their abuseof power.What of us in the 21st century?

How do we respond to obviousinjustice? Silence is not anoption.We need to take the risk as

Jesus did and confront injusticeregardless of where we find itand of the cost to ourselves.

� FR EDDIE McGhee has been apriest of Galloway Diocese since1972. Currently serving threeparishes in the Kilmarnock areahe helps on a part time basiswith chaplaincy in HMP Kil-marnock. He holds a diploma inReligious education and a Mas-ters in education and hasworked extensively in Catholicschools as advisor in religiouseducation. A columnist for theSCO since 1991, his hobbiesinclude fishing, pigeon-racingand poetry. He can be contactedby email: [email protected]

Silence is not an option when injustice presents itself

Fr EddieMcGhee

BY KEVIN McKENNA

� Kevin McKenna is former deputyeditor of the Herald and former exec-utive editor of the Daily Mail in Scot-land. He is currently a columnist forthe Guardian

We must protect the most vulnerablemembers of our society, regardless oftheir gender or the challenges they face,and we must protect those who workwith them

COMMENT 11SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERFriday March 9 2012 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER

WHEN the debate onScottish independ-ence got going seri-ously last year Ipromised myself

(and others close to me) that I wouldremain quiet about it till it was allover. My promise lasted about 24hours. I have close friends, associatesand family on both sides of the argu-ment and it is a toxically divisive sub-ject in Scotland now which leads tooutrageous accusations from all quar-ters. For example, frontbenchers of theScottish National Party (SNP) regu-larly accuse unionists of being ‘anti-Scottish.’ It is also the only debate intown, and looks as if it will stay thatway for years to come.As a result, normal political life is

paralysed for the foreseeable future. Itfeels as if everything else has come toan ossified halt until the constitutionalissue is sorted out. And that mightonly be the start of it.

If the SNPwins the vote to break upBritain, there would be a genera-tion or two for whom the only pri-

ority north of the border would benation-building. Everything else willgrind to a standstill—and there wouldbe casualties. The finest politicalminds in Scotland, on the left, rightand centre have been committed, oneway or another, to finding pathstowards social justice and handling theplight of our poor and dispossessed.There are fears that all this will beplaced on the backburner indefinitely.Some might say, of course, that

there would be nothing new in that,Labour having presided cynically overendemic social and economic disinte-gration in Scotland. After decades ofone-party rule there are still criminallevels of poverty and deprivation. Thenew middle-class Labour activist isquite happy to use the urban poor asvoting fodder, paying lip-service to themantra about alleviating their eco-nomic inequalities. What they are farmore passionate about though, is thepromotion of what the philosopherJohn Haldane describes as ‘recre-ational individualism and lifestyleliberalism.’This is one of the reasons that many

Scottish Catholics in recent years,from cardinals to the ordinary manand woman at Mass, have startedabandoning their tribal affections forLabour, and drifting into the arms ofthe SNP.The First Minister Alex Salmond,

one of the shrewdest politicians everseen here, has been ‘playing a blinder,’in the words of one politician, in hisrelations with the Catholic Church.For example, on the vexed issue ofCatholic schools, always under attackfrom the bien pensant, he has beenconspicuous in his outspoken praise ofwhat these schools offer society. Hehas been very careful to position him-self as a champion of educational plu-ralism and religious freedom. This,and other Catholic-friendly rhetoric,has gone down extremely well withthe Catholic leadership.Cardinal Keith O’Brien of St

Andrews and Edinburgh has spokenon the issue of separation.Asked if theChurch could be indifferent to a movetowards independence in Scotland, hesaid: “In my travels I have had muchexperience of small countries and Ihave seen what benefits independencecan bring.

“There is currently some frustrationamong the Scots about the say theyhave over what happens here, and thatis part of what is pushing the inde-pendence movement... and… it is dif-ficult to argue that ecclesiasticalindependence is acceptable but politi-cal independence is not.”On some things the cardinal has been

at one with the SNP’s leftist pro-gramme. He is vehemently againstnuclear weapons, which would bescrapped in an independent Scotland.He has described the plans to replacethe Trident system as ‘iniquitous, irra-tional and absurd,’ adding: “Thegroundswell of feeling in Scotlandagainst the Trident missile system hashighlighted a deep sense of frustrationamongmany Scots.We have nowish topay for or host these evil weapons, yetwe have no power to remove them.”But, this newfound confidence in

Mr Salmond’s secessionism amongthe Catholic leadership took a hugeknock recently when it became clearthat his ministers were pushing thesame-sex ‘marriage’ agenda. Theassiduous wooing of the Catholics hasbeen coldly rebuffed in the wake ofthe realisation that the SNPmight not,

after all, offer the expected and hoped-for alternatives to the ubiquitous andseemingly invincible progress of‘recreational individualism andlifestyle Liberalism.’On the issues of abortion and

euthanasia, Mr Salmond and his partyleadership seem ‘on message’with theliberal agenda, in spite of a degree ofpractised slipperiness on his part.These issues can still influence thepolitical sway in Scotland. Some say,although it can be fiercely disputed,that Scotland is still more socially andethically conservative than England.Perhaps that fuelled the wishful think-ing behind the Church’s ‘bonding’with the SNP. If so, I feel a nastyshock lies ahead.

Afew years ago, there was anattempt to establish the Scot-tish wing of a new party based

on the principles of classic, EuropeanChristian Democracy. It received awarm welcome from some in the Scot-tish Church leadership. Unfortunately,the project was derailed and the partyturned into a tiny, sectarian and con-fessional operationThe Catholic interest in it evapo-

rated. But, the original initiative isnow in the process of being revivedand there are hopes that the ChristianDemocrats, standing as CentreDemocrats will attract a wide base ofsupport in the years to come. Butwhen they announced their intentionto re-launch recently the Scottishmedia was only interested in theirposition on independence.There is a vacuum on the centre-

right of Scottish politics. All partiesexcept the Conservatives have signedup to a leftist project, socially and eco-nomically.In the long run the SNP are just

more of the same old, same old. For anumber of reasons, therefore, the out-look for the country is pretty dire. TheTories north of the border have beentoxic since Thatcher and the Poll Tax.But when Murdo Fraser stood for theleadership of that party last year, heoffered the radical solution of redefin-ing and re-aligning the centre-right.Outside the party there was consider-able interest and excitement at theprospect.The party itself, however, took the

coward’s route and elected anotherfaceless, visionless Cameronian‘moderniser.’ The Tories will continueto fade into the wilderness and there isstill no viable Scottish alternative to theleft and its multi-party policies of cul-tural, social and economic degradation.The most level-headed Catholic

response to the independence debateshould be studied scepticism and anability to take a longer view. Failure todo that opens the door to a virtuososnake-oil salesman whose politicalsuccesses may come with a heavyprice for those who value the Judeo-Christian principles on which ourcivilisation and society is built. In thatsense, the SNP are no different fromany other secular, liberal wheelers anddealers in the political market place.The only truly radical, counter-cul-

tural challenge to all of this in Scot-land can come from firm pro-life andpro-family principles.These days, those values are found

on the centre-right. The Church willrealise sooner or later that, on theseessentials, the SNP cannot and willnever deliver.

WE MUST not get into arut. Like the Church itself,the zeal and patience columnhas felt the need to moveinto a new phase, the needfor reform. It is now amonthly perspective ratherthan a weekly calendar.As we countdown to the

beginning of that ‘Year of Faith’which Pope Benedict will inau-gurate to mark the 50th anniver-sary of the opening of theSecond Vatican Council inOctober, we become more med-itative, reflecting each monthon the Liturgical life of theChurch in the month ahead.This month finds us in the

thick of Lent—a word whichmeans Spring, and itself con-notes new life and a new begin-ning. And Lent itself wasreformed by the council: “It isthe desire of this council that theLiturgy of the Lenten and Easterseasons be restored in such a

way as to dispose the hearts ofthe Catachumens to celebratethe Paschal mystery at whosesolemn ceremonies they arereborn to Christ through Bap-tism,” (Decree Ad Gentes n14).No longer is Lent to be seen

principally as a time of penance—it is a time of evangelisation:“For understanding the Liturgyof the (Lenten) season this is ofgreat importance; not the soberand serious mood of penancebut a joyful anticipation of bap-tism is the spirit proper to theolder strata of Lenten texts,”(The Church’s Year of Grace byPius Parsch, Vol II, p69).So the first thing we notice

about the post-conciliar Lent is

precisely that emphasis—Lentis the coming together of bothinstruction and Liturgy to pro-mote the spread of the Faith:“Well-suited instruction... sanc-tified by Liturgical rites to becelebrated at successive inter-vals of time,” (Decree of theCongregation for Divine Wor-ship, January 6 1972).This is the responsibility not

only of bishops and priests, butof the whole people of God, it‘should be taken care of... bythe entire community of theFaithful,” (Ad Gentes, n14).The ‘full, conscious and active

participation in Liturgical cele-brations’ called for by the coun-cil, (Sacrosanctum Concilium,

n14) is not an end in itself, ratherit is part and parcel of a Christ-ian’s duty of evangelisation.It is not only the Catechumens

during Lent who benefit from thecoming together of instructionand Liturgy—we all do. This istrue not only of the LentenLiturgy, but of the whole of theChurch’s Liturgical Year, its Yearof Grace. The Liturgy is a privi-leged place of Catechesis, teach-ing us about our Faith: “It is theprimary and indispensable sourcefrom which the Faithful are toderive the true Christian spirit,”(Sacrosanctum Concilium, n14)That is one of the principal

reasons why the council revisedthe Liturgy—so that by the use

of our own languages, by a newunderstanding of the Scriptures,now spread over a two and threeyear cycle, by homilies based onthose readings, by a simplifiedand self-explanatory symbol-ism, and by a full and activeparticipation, we may groweach week in our knowledge ofEucharistic theology, deepenour understanding of the Churchas a Eucharistic community, andunderstand the development ofthat history of salvation in theOld and New Testaments intowhich, as into an ever-growingtapestry, we have been threadedthrough our Baptism.Lent is a preparation for

Easter—that is why it is the

chosen time for Catachumens tobe Baptised into Christ’s deathin order that they may rise withHim to new life. And we, all ofus, who have already been Bap-tised, seize this Lenten seasonto renew our Faith, and to rec-oncile ourselves again withChrist and with one another.The Lenten Liturgical prepa-

ration for Easter reminds us ofhow, over and over again, Godintervened in the history of sal-vation to save us from our our-selves—to enable us to make anew start, to be rescued, as Noahwas rescued from the flood. Notonly the Catachumens make anew start during Lent. We all do.

� Mgr Basil Loftus is a priest ofLeeds Diocese now living inretirement in the North ofSutherland. He worked insecretariat for English andWelsh bishops in Rome duringthe Second Vatican Council

Why Lent is time for everyone to make a brand new startMgr BasilLoftus

50th Anniversaryof the SecondVatican Council

JAMES MacMILLAN doubts an independent Scotland governed by the SNP would necessarily more hospitable for Catholics

Don’t place your faith in independenceJamesMacMillan saysthat the FirstMinister AlexSalmond (left),is one of theshrewdestpoliticiansbut the pre-eminentScottish com-poser suggeststhat ‘the mostlevel-headedCatholicresponse to theindependencedebate shouldbe studiedscepticism andan ability totake a longerview’

By John C SweeneyPSSVP Recruitment OfficerSt Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese

THE Society of St Vincent De Paul is,arguably, one of the best-known, layCatholic charitable organisation in Scot-land. The generosity of the vast numberof parishioners placing their donations

into the SSVP collection boxes at the end of SundayMass has become a ‘tradition’ in most parishes.Every conference in Scotland is thankful for this‘tradition:’Conferences are eternally grateful. Thesedonations go to helping the needy.It is well documented that the SSVP helps the

needy, be they poor, sick, vulnerable, elderly or acombination of these factor. Some say: “The needysuffer because of poverty and that poverty is lack ofmoney.” However, there are all different kinds ofpoverty. Poverty is not necessarily about lack ofmoney. Lack of employment is poverty: lack of edu-cation is poverty: lack of spirituality is poverty: lackof friendship is poverty and loneliness is poverty.Poverty has many faces. The material rich still suf-fer from poverty.

WHY SSVP?I find there are several reasons why I am a Vincent-ian. The first thing about the SSVP is it is a lay soci-ety, organised and administered by the laity, verymuch in keeping with the Lay Apostolate as taughtby the Second Vatican Council. The priest or reli-

gious are spiritual advisors they do not take part inthe administering of the society. The structure of thesociety is a support for members. Conferences giveaid to anyone irrespective of their country, class orcreed. As is often said, becoming a member of theSSVP is a vocation, a calling to serve Christ in theservice of the needy. It is not the sacramental callingof the priest but it is a calling. I find it interestingthat Pope John Paul II was a member of the SSVPwhile a student in Poland. My reason for joining theSociety of St Vincent De Paul is quite simple. I wasand always have been, like everyone else, influencedby the parable of the Good Samaritan. The punchline always worried me: “Go and do likewise.” Mindyou, it still worries me at times.A second reason and an important one is that the

SSVP is a, ‘spiritual’ organisation. The work of theSSVP comes from the members Faith. It is a practi-cal way of following the Gospel message. The con-ference meetings start and end with prayers andthere is a spiritual reading that is discussed. It is fromthe prayers we learn to, ‘never claim that our worksspring from ourselves alone.’ There are specialMasses throughout the year. There is a Mass in Sep-tember for the Canonisation of the founder, BlessedFrederick Ozanam. During these Masses, the sickare blessed. Some members regularly attend weeklyMass as ‘the Eucharist is the source of our Aposto-late.’ There are also days of reflection.

VISITING HOMESEqually important is the work of the society. The work

of the SSVP consists of visiting the needy in theirhomes, hospitals, hospices and care homes. Conferencemembers transport parishioners toMass; organise car-avan holidays for people who would otherwise nothave a holiday and distribute gifts and cards at Easterand Christmas. Some conferences organise summeroutings and others have furniture projects. The SSVPis not an extension of the social services. It is non-polit-ical. The SSVP is an international organisationwith itsheadquarters in Paris. Membership is voluntary. Per-son to person contact is a very important part of theSSVP. Therefore, seeking out the needy becomes anessential part of the conference’s work.Any member of the SSVPwill describe some story

of how their involvement with those in need, made themember of the SSVPfeelmore appreciative of the per-son in need, rather than the other way about.In one case, a mother for six years successfully

recovering from drug addiction, in order to prove to thesocial work that she loves her children and genuinelywants to care for them; is supported by giving gro-ceries, children’s clothes and a caravan holiday.Mem-bers cannot but admire the gritty determination of themother. Such determinationmakes themwish they hadthe same determination, like the mother.Visits to care homes are essential. There are residents

who have no visitors. It is not that the family have for-gotten it is because the residents have no family. If itwere not for the SSVP some of these residents wouldgo year after year without any outside visitors. Thereis a care home where there are a good number of res-idents in need of visits but, due to the lack of mem-

bers, there have been no visits yet. Care homesencourage the SSVP to visit and it is very satisfy-ing; especially when a carer from a home, says:“Can’t you come in every day? When you visit, theresidents enjoy it.” The impact of the visit shouldnot be underestimated. A change of face and a con-versation can do wonders for the residents.Bringing hope, friendship and encouragement to

the needy in the community, builds up the fellow-ship of the community, along with the faith and spir-ituality of all those helping in the work and all thosehelped. Yes, the SSVP is a worthwhile calling.

MEMBERSHIPThe SSVP does face a serious problem. The SSVPfaces the same dilemma as all other organisations—lack of members. The SSVP is also short of youth.This is quite ironic as Frederick Ozanam was only 20years old when he founded the scoiety. Maybe weneed to promote the life of Frederick in amodern slant.The needy are certainly not going to go away.What isgoing to happen to them? Who is going to distributethe aid? If there is no St Vincent De Paul, which otherorganisation is going to be pressurised into dealingwith what should be the work of the SSVP? Who isgoing to be responsible for the care of the needy andmarginalised? It provokes relevant questions.Questions are important and strangely enough, the

SSVP came into existence as an answer to a question.This brings me to my final reason, ‘why I am a Vin-centian?’ the manner in how the SSVP originated.Frederick Ozanam had to face a challenging ques-

tion in a debate in 1833. An atheistic group askedFrederick: “What are you doing today to show us theworks, which proves the worth of your faith?” Thisquestion challenged Frederick because to answertruthfully, somethingwould need to change. On reflec-tion, Frederick realised that faith is really about action,not academic debates. Frederick, on an impulse, said:“The blessing of the poor is the blessing of God. Wemust go to the poor.”With these words, the SSVPwas born; the question

answered and the challenge accepted. The first con-ference came to realise that the best way to challengeanti religious views was by enthusiastically doingpractical works of charity, motivated by faith. Freder-ick Ozanam founded the SSVP in 1833 when a 20-year-old university student. His actions manifestedChrist’s Love in the service of the poor. The membersof the SSVP identify with, and are influenced by, thespirit of Blessed Frederick.The question: “What are you doing today to show

us the works which prove the worth of your faith?”challenged Frederick. Frederick was an individual;we are all individuals. Sometimes, as individuals,we think, ‘we cannot do what Frederick did, we arenot like that!’ That challenging question, which isvery much relevant today, provoked FrederickOzanam into using his skills and talents, motivatedby his Christian faith. Like Frederick, all anyone canoffer are their own skills and talents; skills and tal-ents motivated by their Christian faith.

� http://www.ssvpscotland.com

WE CAN SHOWTHATWE CARE

In this SPECIAL SCO REPORT, lay Catholicorganisations respond to the call by SCOcolumnist Cath Doherty for help for theelderly by explaining their ethos and byoffering ways readers can become involved

CARING FOR THE ELDERLY 13Friday March 9 2012 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER12 CARING FOR THE ELDERLY SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday March 9 2012SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

By Terry GavinPresident, The Legion of Our Ladyof Good Counsel, Stirling

THE Legion of Mary, at St Mary’s in Stir-ling and throughout it bases, aims to bringMary to the world as the infallible means ofwinning the world to Jesus. Legionary serv-ice is based on the doctrine of the MysticalBody of Christ so that in their fellow mem-bers and in those they serve, legionariesseek to have the person of our Lord onceagain seen and served by Mary, His Mother.Evangelisation, especially the seeking of con-

versions to the Church, is a priority for thelegion, through the visitation of homes and byother means. The legion must, as a first princi-ple, set out to establish a contact of some sortwith every soul everywhere. Seeing and servingChrist in the sick and marginalised is anothervital part of the legionary Apostolate. While notengaging in the giving of material relief legionar-ies will often find opportunities to do works forthe needy.The Legion of Mary of Our Lady of Good

Counsel, StMary’s, Stirling, seeks to achieve theseobjectives in the Stirling area by various works.

One of the methods used is by visiting twonursing homes in Stirling on a regular basis,spending time with many of the residents andtalking to them individually. We pray the Rosaryas a group and try as often as we can to haveMass said in the homes.We are asked by familiesto visit their dying relatives and have the privi-lege of being with the families for as long and asoften as they wish us to be there. The staff in thehomes are very supportive and we are alwaysgiven a warm welcome.Visiting the housebound is a priority and we

have found over the past year requests for visitshave increased greatly. We have recentlyrecruited two new members and thankfully canincrease our visits and other works. Carrying outhome visits is so rewarding.We visit schools in the area talking to the chil-

dren, teaching them the importance of the Rosaryand explaining the Immaculate Medal. The chil-dren are so receptive and it is a joy to be withthem. We distribute Holy Communion cards,Rosaries and medals to every child in the areareceiving their First Communion.There are six members who carry out this work

and if we could recruit more people imagine howmuch more we could do.

IN THE run up to Christmas, ScottishCatholic Observer columnist CathDoherty appealed to Catholics, asindividuals and groups, to prioritisethe elderly and elder care.She called for the model of independent

monitors, as is allowed in care homes, tobe extended to geriatric hospital wards—‘places where the human spirit could besnuffed out’—and suggested that such,and all visitors, could act as a ‘brakingsystem’ where there is the risk of poorstandards of care.“For those who were elderly and quite

alone, who had no visitors, it was particu-larly hard,” she said.Highlighting that we have a generation

crying out for a kind word or a moment’sgrace, she poignantly added her ownexperience when visiting friends in hospi-tal: “For those who were elderly and quite

alone, who had no visitors, it was particu-larly hard. To linger at the end of visitingtime and to ‘tuck them in’ and simply say‘goodnight, sleep tight’ became a habitwith one or two visitors to other patients.Once, there was a bit of a stir on the wardat the end of visiting time, and the little‘tucking in’ ritual was overlooked. Therewere calls of reminder from severalbeds…”She praised the efforts of lay Catholic

groups who work tirelessly for the needyand the elderly, highlighting them as aninspiration.This week representatives for the Legion

of Mary and the St Vincent de Paul Societyexplain the ethos of each organisation and,in doing so provide more detail about thework they do—including visiting the elderlyand the needy—and how readers canbecome involved.

‘Carrying out home visits is so rewarding’

MAINSWITCHBOARDTel: 0141 221 4956• Fax: 0141 221 4546

EDITORLiz Leydon—Tel: 0141 241 6109

[email protected]

DEPUTYEDITORIan Dunn—Tel: 0141 241 6107

[email protected]

REPORTERMartin Dunlop—Tel: 0141 241 6103

[email protected]

SUB-EDITORGerard Gough—Tel: 0141 241 6115

[email protected]

14 LETTERS SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday March 9 2012SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

Lent is a time forpositive penanceWHILST I live south of theborder in London, I regularlyread The Scottish CatholicObserver. I was particularlystruck by Mary McGinty’srecent column on getting ourspiritual lives back on track.With Lent upon us, the

quest to give something upbecomes pressing, just as, atthe start of the year a searchfor a New Year resolutionoccupied minds. But like NewYear eresolutions, the Lenten‘giving something up’ canquickly fizzle out. Whilst Lentis about penance, reparationand preparation for thePassion, Death andResurrection of Jesus, itreminds us of the 40 days thatJesus Himself spent in thedesert. I think Lent isessentially a positive time inthe Church’s year.I think Lent should remind

us of what we should aim forin life, that is to die in a stateof grace and be with theFather in Heaven. So inresponse to Christ’s invitationto take up our cross andfollow Him. Instead of givingsomething up I am takingsomething up.Last year I read a portion of

scripture for Lent. I did thisusing the weekday Missal.And continue this practice.This year I am going to say aDecade of the Rosary for theHoly Souls in Purgatory (sothat they may see the face ofthe Father in Heaven andintercede for us), and to readthe Four Gospels.In a society where it is easy

to give time to watchingEastenders, or CoronationStreet or to watchingPanorama or reading anintellectual journal, each ofwhich we would happilyassign a least half an hour todo, devoting that half an hourto reading scripture or sayingthe Rosary (saying the Rosarytakes 15—20 minutes) is, Ithink, a better use of time. Wecan devote the time we arecommuting to prayer, or evenwalking to the shops, toprayer.Through positive penance

(ie taking something up) wenot only develop a fullerunderstanding of the Faith andperforming of the corporalworks of mercy (of which

praying for the dead is one),but we also ‘give upsomething,’ we give up of ourtime to devote to these works.The Great Season of Lent

brings us closer to our Fatherin Heaven and is a blessing.Christopher KeeffeMIDDLESEX

What an honour forMgr BurnsI WAS over the moon at thenews that Mgr Charles Burnsof Paisley Diocese had beeninstalled as a canon of thePapal Basilica of St Peter inthe Vatican.He is a great man and it it a

fitting tribute to a man whohas done so much for theCatholic Church in Scotland.It could not have happened toa better man and it must besuch an honour to be the firstScot to hold that position.Great news!Martin BakerPAISLEY

Learn from Jesus, thegreatest socialistHAVING read and enjoyed DrHarry Schnitker’s latest serieson Catholic social teaching inthe SCO, it was perhapssaddening to read in Fr ColinMacInnes’ column from themission in Ecuador of thedeclining influence of theChurch with regards topolitics in Latin America.Political leaders in these

countries should be aware thatby ignoring or belittling thevoice of the Church in thesecountries, they are in turn,ignoring and belittling the

views of many of their ownelectorate. The CatholicChurch always has society’sbest interests at heart, in LatinAmerica and elsewhere, andmany politicians would dowell to read the Gospels andtake on the teaching of thegreatest socialist who everlived, Our Lord Jesus Christ.Brian MounfieldCAMPBELTOWN

Who is telling the truthabout Lockerbie?KENNYMacAskill says thathe did not urge the only manconvicted of the Lockerbiebombing to drop his appeal tosmooth the way for hiscompassionate release whilstAbdelbaset Ali Mohmedal-Megrahi says that he did.They cannot both be tellingthe truth.Bearing in mind that one of

them is a dying man whomany see as wronglyconvicted of mass murder andthe other is a respectedScottish politician andupstanding member of thelegal profession whichsecured his conviction, I knowwho I believe!John Eoin DouglasEDINBURGH

The power of the penis neededMay I appeal to readers towrite the following letters:a) Margo MacDonald—askingher to withdraw her latestplans for an assisted suicidebill.b) Jeremy Hunt, MP, CabinetMinister for Culture,

Olympics, media and sport,asking him to overturn theAdvertising StandardsAuthority’s decision to allowabortion providers to advertiseon television.Helen M MacEachenCOATBRIDGE, LANARKSHIRE

Put your Lenten almsto Catholic useLENT is upon us with itsemphasis on almsgiving. It isnot for Catholics to betray theFaith by the false alternatives[when Catholic causes needour support].Catholic social

teaching—the politics ofCatholicism—as Pope JohnXXIII reminded us is ‘anintegral part of the Faith.’Ignorance of its preceptsconstitutes the sin of ‘culpableignorance’ and, as PopeBenedict XVI, hasemphasised, our almsgivingtoo should be compatible withthis Faith.Some countries pose

problems for the practisingCatholic. India has moremillionaires than anywhere inthe world yet Mother Teresaand her nuns in Calcutta everymorning collected prematureor ‘aborted’ babies to allowthem to die with dignity, six toa cradle. Children here arebeing mamed so they can begfor their parents, or are sold toforms of slavery. Yet in oursociety what we regulary seeon India is the WWFtelevision advert, a charitywith a human populationcontrol agenda,sentimentalising about thewhite tiger which is exploitedin India because the nativesbelieve it can be used formedicine.Countries like India need

our help, but surely in thisperverted world, where suchas the persecution of theGovernment of Syria isrepresented as liberation, whatir actually needed is the Faithwhich brings to all theliberation of Catholic socialteaching; an honest moneycreation system, a decentguaranteed familyincome-per-capita?Only the Holy Spirit can

change hearts. We mustsupport priests who arevanguard of the NewWorld.MT KieltyCLYDEBANK

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CompassionmustbepartoftheChurch’sstanceonmarriage THECatholic Church’s belief in, and unwavering

support for, traditional marriage and family asthe bedrock of our society is well-founded anddocumented. It has stood the test of time forthousands of years and has even, frequently

been a pillar of political campaigns, including that, it hasbeen argued, of the current coalition government. That iswhy attacks on these institutions provoke such a strongreaction from leading Catholic clergymen, such as Cardi-nal Keith O’Brien. The president of the Bishops’ Confer-ence of Scotland has said the UK Government’s bid toredefine the law to allow same-sex ‘marriage’ would be ‘agrotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right.’The suggestion that any parliament has the right to redefine

what marriage means, to change the fundamental grasp onwhat society perceives to be a marriage, and holds as true, isindeed challenging.“Since all the legal rights of marriage are already available

to homosexual couples through civil partnership, it is clearthat this proposal is not about rights, but rather is an attemptto redefine marriage for the whole of society at the behest ofa small minority of activists,” Cardinal O’Brien said. “Weshould be clear that redefiningmarriagewill have huge impli-cations for what is taught in our schools and for wider soci-ety. Redefining marriage, means redefining society since theinstitution of marriage is one of the fundamental buildingblocks upon which every society is built.”The token concession that the Church may be exempted

from taking part in same-sex ‘marriage’ in the UK is not thesame as preventing a change in the law in the first place. Thatis what the Church is trying to do, to prevent the inevitablereductive result of redefining the institution and, for Catholics,the Sacrament, ofmarriage to something it was never intendedto be.TheChurch is lobbying to prevent this legislative changeand is urgently appealing for Catholic backing for this cause asthose in political power in Scotland, England andWales holdconsultations on same-sex ‘marriage.’Recent events confirm that provisos and guarantees sur-

rounding legal changes are far from airtight. Adding to thefrequently cited argument of ‘look how far wehave strayed’ from the legal checks andbalances on abortion since it is legalised isthe narrowing of the conscience clausefor healthcare workers by Lady Smith inher ruling last week against twoCatholic midwives.Like abortion, same-sex ‘marriage,’is a powerfully emotive issue andsome people confuse the wealth ofCatholic teaching on a subject withso-called ‘judgement.’We are indeedtalking about people’s lives and thedilemmas they face to reconcile theirlifestyles with their own and society’sbeliefs. We are not dealing with anabstract concept. While the threatagainst marriage is real and looming, andthe Church needs to get its message acrossin the strongest possible terms, the lan-

guage it uses is as important as its aim. TheChurch will not waver on this issue, but there has to

be compassion and understanding in its methods to win com-passion and understanding for its cause.

SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

Opinion

SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

A very sad day indeed formidwives everywhere

I WRITE in response to the articlewritten for your publication byProfessor Valerie Fleming, a practisingCatholic and Scottish midwife whichwas scanned and e-mailed to me by aScottish friend. Although I now live inSouth Africa, I worked as a midwife inScotland from 1979 to 1995 so Imaintain a keen interest in all Scottishdevelopments in the profession.This latest development both angers

and saddens me as I have just receivednews that the midwives in question havesadly lost their case in court today. Sincethe Abortion Law was signed into theStatute Books of the United Kingdom in1967 there has always been a‘conscience clause’ whereby midwives,

nurses and doctors couldconscientiously object to taking part inany/all acts/procedures pertaining toabortion. This included things as‘remote’ as setting theatre trolleys eventhough the procedure would actually becarried out by someone else.Here in South Africa we sadly have

one of the most liberal abortion laws inthe world where young teenagers canprocure abortions without parentalknowledge or consent from age 14;where children go to abortion clinics formedically induced abortions in theirschool lunch break and where midwivescan actually perform abortions until 12weeks of pregnancy. Worst of all for aCatholic (or Muslim) midwife is thatthere is no conscience clause in the actand this is the single reason why I, as apractising Catholic, feel I cannot workas a midwife in this country eventhoughthere is a desperate shortage ofmidwives. I believe in the sanctity of

life, first, last and always—that is why Ientered the profession more than 30years ago.It seriously saddens me that in thisadvanced day and age Catholicmidwives are being squeezed out oftheir profession despite the so calledprotection of the law. I admire the twomidwives from Southern Generalenormously for standing up and beingcounted and I hope that with some goodpress coverage other midwives from themost junior to the most senior all overthe UK will come out and ‘be counted’too.This is something which has thepotential to affect all of us midwives asthere is a move afoot to abolishconscience clauses in abortion actsaround the world and if that does comeabout it will be a truly sad and black dayfor midwifery.Marguerite WintonCAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

LETTER OF THEWEEK

POETRY AND MUSIC CAFÉThe Ogilvie Centre St Aloysius

ENTERING into the OgilvieCentre, via a lift from theground floor, the setting is asthe name suggests. The tableswere topped with small can-dles flickering and a singalong sheet, which was let-ting you know what youwere in for. A small intimatespace well suited for the per-formers of the evening.The Poetry and Music Caféhas the format of havinginvited guests but also a chancefor the audience to share their

talent through either spokenword or music.Among the guests were Nell

Brennan, Mary Campbell, JackCain and Fr Peter Banyard. FrBanyard’s claim to fame washis appearance in an episode ofAn Island Parish. This made forinteresting personal and reli-gious poetry being performed.At the interval, the audiencewas informed that there wasstill some open mic slots left,and anyone who wanted to do aturn would be more than wel-come. The selection of sand-wiches and cakes laid out bythe parish, might have dis-

tracted them from the opportu-nity. I volunteered myself alongwith two other performers whosang beautifully. The audiencewere very interactive, espe-cially when offered opportuni-ties to sing along together— inparticular Jack Cain’s rework-ing of a well-known tune, Glas-gow in the Rare Auld Timeswas well received.Overall, the evening, the first

of the two Poetry and MusicCafés, the other is in StJoseph’s Milngavie, was aninviting, reflective and upliftingcommunity experience.

CHRISTINE GLEN

HOW do you define family? For me itis predominantly about parents andchildren; the people who sit aroundthe dinner table discussing their dayand whose lives are linked by ties of

blood and marriage. But last week at the funeralof a fairly distant cousin and in the precedingweeks as his health rapidly failed I learned aboutthe wider meaning of family and the importanceof the parish as a family of faith. A proud and learned man with many varied

interests—who since the death of his sister hadlived alone—he was without close family. Fiercelyindependent he could have resisted the support he

was offered as he grew weaker but instead he gra-ciously accepted the many kindnesses he wasshown. In return he rewarded his visitors withstimulating conversation, witty anecdotes andtreasured memories. Just as he had so wholeheart-edly embraced all the experiences of his life heembraced his dying, submitting himself to the willof God and the goodness of those around him. Beginning the journey from the known to the

unknown in which the gradual relinquishing ofindependence fades into complete reliance on oth-ers he was accompanied in compassion and soli-darity. Through all the little acts of friendship hewas able to confront the reality of death in the lightof faith. He was consoled by his parish priest andgood friends who cherished him, who would nothave sought to remove themselves from difficultconversations and who put aside their own com-mitments in their devotion to him. When the human hope of recovery, of restora-

tion to good health, gave way to the acceptancethat this mortal life would soon be over it wasthese relationships that sustained him. In conver-

sation and in silence too, their calming physicalpresence and spiritual vigour was a healing power.When he was finally admitted to his local hospicehe felt a great sense of peace but he still feared thathe would die alone. As his life began to ebb awayhis parish priest was called and two dear friendskept vigil throughout the night until he slippedaway peacefully as dawn broke. For all the care that is so tenderly and attentively

given by hospice professionals nothing can replacethe presence of those who are there solely out oflove. All too often people shy away for fear ofintruding but what we think of as the smallestcomforts can mean so very much. If we worry we

might say the wrong thing we need only say a lit-tle prayer to our guardian angel to guide us.

Visiting the sick (left) is indeed a work ofmercy. Of all the many ways in which wegive expression to our Faith the care of the

dying must be among the most pleasing to God.Who knows what our final days and hours willbring? Stripped of what we think of as life’s cer-tainties, shrouded in vulnerability, when our bodieshave failed us all that is left is the soul that seeksGod’s love and mercy. The bedside of the dying issurely a sacred place; in those privileged momentsreservations are shed, confidences exchanged andthe once dark thoughts of death dissolve and aresupplanted by the hope of eternal life.Last week in the parish community of my child-

hood, amid the sadness of mourning, I witnessedthe consolation and faithfulness of friendship. Thatit was so was no surprise to me but profoundlyhumbling all the same.

� Examining care for the eldery, see pages 12-13

THAT’S LIFE 15SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERFriday March 9 2012 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER

Scottish Catholic Observer:Scotland’s only national

Catholic weekly newspaperprinted by Cumbrian Newsprint,Newspaper House, Dalston Road,

Carlisle CA2 5UA

First entry out the hat nextTUESDAY will be the winner

Send your completedcrossword entries—along withyour full name address anddaytime phone number—toCROSSWORD CONTEST SCO 19WATERLOO ST GLASGOW G26BT

The winner’s name will beprinted next week

The editor’s decision is final

LAST WEEK’SSOLUTION

ACROSS1 Decoration 6 Sore10 Camel 11 Avalanche12 Sultana 15 Treat17 Nazi 18 Avid 19 Molar21 Cyclone 23 Ninth24 Gnat 25 Over26 Diver 28 Sarcasm33 Very light 34 Avail35 Dish 36 Bench press

DOWN1 Duck 2 Communion3 Relit 4 Train 5 Oval7 On cue 8 Electorate9 Pastime 13 Army14 Antlers16 Saint David20 Landscape 21 Chorale22 Near 27 Virus 29 Attic30 Clamp 31 Ogle 32 Alps

CROSSWORD

SSCCOO ppaaggeess tthhrroouugghh tthhee aaggeess

SSCCOO ppaaggeess tthhrroouugghh tthhee aaggeess

2255 yyeeaarrss aaggoo

THE news that dominated the pages of The Scottish Catholic Observer 25years ago was the announcement ofthe Vatican’s stance on test tubebabies.“The Vatican’s Congregation for the

Doctrine of the Faith this week gave aresounding ‘no’ to all methods of artificialprocreation—even those between husbandand wife—and condemned aspects of themas symptoms of ‘science without con-science’” the report said. The long-awaited Instruction on Respect

for Human Life in its Origin and on theDignity of Procreation analysed the moralstatus of test tube babies and test andexperimentation on human embryos. The report stated that: “Science without

conscience can only lead to man’s ruin.Any intervention on the human bodyaffects not only the tissues, the organs and their functions, but also involves the person himself.”Test tube babies were labelled as

‘immoral,’ and the techniques used werecalled ‘inhumane and unnatural.’The document stated: “What is techni-

cally possible is not, for that very reason,morally admissible.”The instruction, went on to stress respect

for the human embryo, quoting the Second

Vatican Council that ‘life, once conceived,must be protected with the utmost care.’

5500 yyeeaarrss aaggoo

FIFTY years ago in The SCO one of themain news stories reported concerned newsScottish remembrance of the sacrifice of StJohn Ogilvie who was executed on March10, 1615 and on this day five decades agothousands of people lined the streets ofGlasgow leading to Glasgow Cross the loca-tion of the execution.“Thousands of people set out from the

scene of the execution at Glasgow Cross onSunday afternoon in a long, winding pro-cession up the High Street, reciting theRosary for the Canonisation of the martyrand the conversion of Scotland. “It was the annual procession in honour

of Blessed John, hanged 347 years ago forthe practising the Catholic religion in faceof intense persecution and for carrying outhis duties as a priest.”There was a crowd estimated to be around

5000 which was led by Canon MichaelWard, who led the crowd in a recitation ofthe Rosary. The congregation consisted ofpeople of all ages and from all walks of life,while there were also several differentpriests there all of different nationalitiesincluding, Scottish, Irish and English.

STEPHEN EDWARDSON

ACROSS1 Campanologist (4,6)6 Movable parts of the skull (4)10 Sounds like he’s a big gun in the church! (5)11 Cosmetic provided by dairy produce straight from the

fridge? (4,5)12 Make damp (7)15 Point out an item of mountaineering equipment (5)17 Prepare to publish a new diet (4)18 Dip a biscuit into a drink, or score a basket from above (4)19 Detection equipment (5)21 Someone who is not Jewish (7)23 Deposit money where the beavers live (5)24 Cora is upset by the killer-whale (4)25 It’s midday, whichever way you look at it (4)26 Black fur (5)28 Perfume; distinctive nature (7)33 How Dean leaps around a promenade (9)34 This French river disorientates a heron (5)35 Neat (4)36 A horse toys around with Sybil (10)

DOWN1 Male rabbit or a dollar (4)2 Sleepy state populated by yes-men? (4,2,3)3 Telephones for some jewellery (5)4 The shelf is pleasant (hot inside) (5)5 Slippery creatures (4)7 Ward off (5)8 Somehow, Ian remains the one studying for the

priesthood (10)9 Piece of regalia (7)13 Story (4)14 Roman god of the sea (7)16 Youth with a sniff of benefit (10)20 Might the editor cry ‘It’s got my number?’ (9)21 Has this officer not got a specific commission? (7)22 South East Asian country, capital Vientiane (4)27 Two-legged creature (5)29 Bonbon (5)30 Merits (5)31 At which to gamble in Portugal? (4)32 Pick up sound (4)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9

10 11

12 13 14 15

16 17

18 19 20

21 22

23 24

2526 27 28 29 30

31 32

33 34

35 36

Gordius No 29

Last week’s winner was:Mrs B Davie, Rutherglen

By MaryMcGinty

Visiting the sick can be an act of mercyTHAT’S LIFE explains how our pre-conceived definition of family and faith can quite easily be put to the test

LENTFEST REVIEW

Our weekly series on Children’s Liturgy has lesson plans and activity suggestions for use with youngpeople who are on the path to Christ

Each week, Catechists will find readings and Psalm responses, complemented by prayer, reflection,discussion questions, and activities. Please feel free to use them as you wish

The lessons are created by Adorer-theologians using the lens of the spirituality of St Maria de Mattias,which also embraces precious blood spirituality

While this is the starting point for the lessons, readers are invited to approach them however the spiritmoves you

The Church is concerned with the availability and understanding of scripture for children who have theirrightful place in the Church. In light of this SCO aims to provide a useful tool in drawing children closer tothe Catholic Faith

Fourth Sunday of Lent—First ReadingWhen we were dead through sin, Christ brought us tolife. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians2:4-10

Brothers and sisters, God was merciful! Wewere dead because of sins, but God loved usso much that He made us alive with Christ, andGod’s kindness is what saves you.God raised us from death to life with ChristJesus, and He has given us a place besideChrist in heaven above. God did this so that inthe future world He could show how trulygood and kind He is to us because of whatChrist Jesus has done.You were served by faith in God who treats usbetter than we deserve. This is God’s gift toyou, and not anything you have done on yourown. It isn’t something you have earned, sothere is nothing you can brag about. Godplanned for us to do good things and to live asHe has always wanted us to live. That is whyHe sent Christ to make us what we are.The Word of the Lord

Reflection and DiscussionTHE Scripture passages this week tell usof God’s unwavering love—no matterhow disobedient we are. It is true: Thestories in the Bible are of God’srelationship/friendship with us. We seeclearly that God’s attitude to us is not ‘Iam bigger and stronger than you.’ It is:‘I will love you forever, even when youdon’t love me.’

This is a hard—if not impossible—truth. Most of us love those who love usand dislike those who don’t like us. Whywould anyone—much less God—lovepeople even when they do wrong? Infact, we know of many stories in theHebrew (Old Testament) Scriptures, thattell of unfaithfulness, disobedience andunbelief such as Adam and Eve; Cain;the Israelites; Moses; David; Jonah, andso on.

The passage from Ephesians statesthat ‘we are God’s handiwork.’ Then,the Gospel of John tells us that God sentJesus because of love: “God so loved theworld that God sent God’s only Son…”John makes it clear, by linking believingin God’s Son—God’s ultimate gift oflove—to eternal life. Nicodemus, like us,doesn’t understand fully the gift of loveJesus is. The Gospel of John uses theimage of light to show how we prefer to‘be in the dark’ about the trueabundance of God’s love.

At some level, deep within ourselves,we want to believe in unconditional lovebut it is hard to come out into the light.We begin to realise if we really believe inGod’s unconditional love, then we willlove all the time and everyone. Is thatpossible? Yes. Because once we dosomething over-and-over, it becomesmore natural. Jesus loved over-and-overbecause He believed in God’sunconditional love. So, if we are ‘God’shandiwork,’ we must be natural loverswhen we are at our best. That’s why,during Lent, we look around and withinto see if there are things, attitudes we aredoing that aren’t loving. When wediscover something, then we repent—change—and start over. What helps us isGod’s grace—little energy bursts. Gracenudges us, supports us, leads us towardbeing the loving ‘handiwork’ of God.Heaven, is being filled with grace andlove for all eternity. It isn’t a place, asmuch as it is a way of being, that trulyreflects God in each of us. Heaven is thefullness of light and shows us God,face-to-face.

Activities�� In your Lenten booklet, turn to page four.Write the word, ‘light.’ Draw a few picturesof different lights: lamps, traffic lights;floodlights and so on. �� What do each of these lights do? Theymake it easier for people to see and to actaccordingly. The energy to make lightswork comes from a source, a generator.Well, in a certain way, God is the generatorand Jesus is the light. We see and act inlove, because grace comes into us just likeenergy comes from the generator into Jesus.Jesus is more than just Jesus. He is theLight of God. And Jesus gave us the powerto be lights, too, by sharing grace. Write theword ‘grace’ on page three.�� Finally, have the children form a circlefor prayer. If it is possible, light a smallcandle and put it in the centre of the circle. �� Explain: Each person is going to blessthe person next to them, in a special way aspart of the prayer. They will follow yourexample.�� Prayer: Dear Jesus, we believe you are thelight of the world and the light in our hearts.Helps us to keep the light of your love in ourhearts every minute of every day. Amen. �� Then, turn to the person next to you, andsay, while making a small ‘Sign of theCross’ on their forehead: “Your are the Lightof Jesus. Shine bright this week.” Help eachchild repeat the phrase, then sing This LittleLight Of Mine.

PrayerDear Jesus, we feel your love and careevery day. We pray and do kind acts to beyour signs of love to each other. Thank youfor never forgetting about us. We love you.Amen.

Responsorial Psalm25:4-5abc, 6 and 7 cd(R) Remember your mercies, O Lord.Show me your paths and teach me to fol-low; guide me by your truth and instructme. You keep me safe.(R) Remember your mercies, O Lord.Please, Lord, remember, you have alwaysbeen patient and kind.Show how truly kind you are and rememberme.(R) Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Verse Before The GospelJohn 3:16(R) Glory and praise to you, Lord JesusChrist. God loved the world so much, He gave Hisonly Son, that all who believe in Him mighthave eternal life.(R) Glory and praise to you, Lord JesusChrist.

GospelGod sent His Son into the world, that we mightbe saved through Him. A reading from the HolyGospel according to John 3:16-17Jesus told Nicodemus: “God loved thepeople of this world so much that He gaveHis only Son, so that everyone who hasfaith in Him will have eternal life andnever die.“God did not send His Son into the

world to condemn its people. He sent Himto save them!”The Gospel of the Lord

The Children’s Liturgy page is published oneweek in advance to allow RE teachers and thosetaking the Children’s Liturgy at weekly Masses touse, if they wish, this page as an accompanimentto their teaching materials

16 CHILDREN’S LITURGY SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday March 9 2012SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

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McALENEYPeacefully on Monday,February 27, 2012, atMillbrae Care Home,Coatbridge, with Margaret,Jean and Frank watchingover her, our dear AuntieSarah (Donnelly) aged 95years. Dearly loved wife ofthe late Eddie and a muchloved sister and auntie.R.I.P.

GALLAGHERLoving memories of ourdarling daughter, sister andauntie, Andrea, who died onNovember 23, 1989, andwhose 31st birthday isMarch 12.If we could visit Heaven justone day, we could put ourarms around you and tellhow much we love you.Love you always.Mum, Dad, Johnny,Edmond, Lesley, Brian,Claire, Rebecca and Ellis.xxx.

MacDONALDTreasured memories of mydear brother, Donald, whodied on February 6, 2011and whose birthday occurson March 8.Our Lady of Lourdes, prayfor him.Inserted by Morag, Ronaldand family, Eriskay.

McGILL26th AnniversaryPlease pray for the repose ofthe soul of our uncle,Reverend James McGill,who died March 12, 1986.Immaculate Heart of Mary,pray for him.May he rest in peace.

McPARTLINFr Francis, died March 14,2009.Would those who think ofhim today,A little prayer to Jesus say.Forever in our thoughts andprayers.From Margaret.

McPARTLIN3rd AnniversaryRemembering with love andgratitude, Fr FrancisMcPartlin, former parishpriest of St Gilda’s,Rosneath, who died onMarch 14, 2009.Riches I heed not or man’sempty praise,Thou my inheritance throughall my days,Thou and Thou only,The first in my heart,High King of Heaven,My treasure Thou art.Please pray to God for allpriests that they may livetheir lives in His service anddepart them in His grace.Our Blessed Lady, protectthem.St Joseph, protect them.M.M.

ARBUCKLEIn loving memory of our dearparents, grandparents andgreat-grandparents,Catherine (Kate), who diedMarch 14, 1988, and Georgewho died September 28,1988.May they rest in peace.Inserted by the family.

BOYLERemembering with love, ourdearest dad and papa,Benny, who died March 13,2004. Also our dearest mumand nana, Betty, died June7, 2008.We hold you close within ourhearts,And there you shall remain,To walk with us throughoutour lives,Until we meet again.From their loving family.

CASSIDY, Cathie4th AnniversaryIn loving memory of my dearmother, Cathie Cassidy, diedMarch 11, 2008.Our Lady of Lourdes, prayfor her.John, Moira.

BROLLYRemembering the thirteenthanniversary of our belovedJim, a loving husband andfather, who died on March12, 1999.Hide me in the shadow ofYour wings.As for me, in my justice Ishall see Your face and befilled, when I awake, with thesight of Your glory.Eternal rest grant unto him,O Lord,And may perpetual lightshine upon him.May he rest in peace.From his loving wife Maryand family.

BROLLYGerald, whose secondanniversary occurs on March12, 2012. Also Joe andLawrence. All rememberedwith love and affection bytheir sister-in-law Mary,nieces and nephews Maria,Ann, Kevin and Vincent.

CARLIN10th AnniversaryIn loving memory of Alex,who died March 9, 2002.A loving heart stoppedbeating as we watched youslip away,Our hearts were truly brokenas you fought so hard tostay,God saw that you were tired,a cure was not to be,He put His arms around youand whispered, Come to Me.Your loving family, wifeSadie, daughter andson-in-law, Yvonne andGerry, and granddaughtersDonnamarie and Danielle.

CUSHLEY19th AnniversaryIn loving memory of my dearwife, Agnes (Timmons), whodied March 14, 1993.May she rest in peace.Our Lady of Good Aid, prayfor her.John.

CONDRON27th AnniversaryIn loving memory of my dearhusband and father, Gerard,who died March 10, 1985.We never knew that morningThat sorrow was so near,We only know that we lostThe one we all loved so verydear,You left without a last good-bye,But memories of you willnever die.God will link the brokenchain,As one by one we meetagain.Inserted by his loving wifeMargaret and sonsRaymund and Gerry.

GALLACHERIn loving memory ofKathleen (Kay), who diedMarch 11, 1992.We remember the lady wholoved all children.Inserted by husband Charlesand family.

GLENPlease remember in yourprayers, Michael, died March7, 1997, a much lovedhusband, dad and grandpa.Today is remembered andquietly kept,Those who loved him willnever forget.Our Lady of Lourdes, prayfor him.St Joseph, pray for him.St. Pio, pray for him.May he rest in peace.Agnes and family.

HILL51st AnniversaryIn loving memory ofMargaret Carroll, who diedMarch 10, 1961, also herbeloved husband, CharlesHill, died November 11,1954, late of 22 AnnetteStreet, Glasgow, G42.

KEARNEYIn loving memory of MonicaKearney, who died March10, 1992, her parents,Thomas and Agnes, herbrother, Thomas Townsend,who died in Canada onDecember 8, 1991, and hersisters, Norah Graham, whodied on May 24, 2004, andMargaret, who died onAugust 4, 2006.Sacred Heart, have mercyon them.Our Lady of Lourdes, prayfor them.

McAULEY16th AnniversaryIn loving memory of our dearuncle, John, B.E.M., whodied March 6, 1996.Our Lady of Lourdes, prayfor him.Inserted by the family.

McCORMICKIn loving memory of our dearson and brother, ThomasAnthony, who died March 9,1987.St Thomas and St Anthony,pray for him.In loving memory of mysister-in-law, Sr Agnes, whodied March 22, 2005.St Clare, pray for her.Inserted by Theresa andfamily.

McDONAGH23rd AnniversaryPlease pray for the repose ofthe soul of our dear daddyand papa, James, who diedMarch 10, 1989.Our Lady of Lourdes, prayfor him.Inserted by Margaret, Jean,Jim and families.

MacDONALD8th AnniversaryRemembering PeggyMacDonald, who died onMarch 12, 2004, aged 75.So greatly missed by all.Our Lady of the Isles, prayfor her.Forever in our thoughts.Inserted by her families inEdinburgh, Glasgow,Inverness, Australia, Luton,Pennsylvania and SouthUist.

MacDONALDIn loving memory of my dearhusband, Allan, dad andgranddad, died March 12,2006. R.I.P.Never from the hearts thatloved you.Will your memories everfade.Our Lady of Lourdes, prayfor him and St Pio, pray forhim.Inserted by Nan and family.

MacINTYRE4th AnniversaryTreasured memories of ourdear mum, Mary, who diedMarch 13, 2008.Forever in our thoughts.Our Lady, Star of the Sea,pray for her.Inserted by her loving family,home and away.Bunessan Street, Glasgow.

MacINNES12th AnniversaryRemembering CalumRuaraidh MacInnes, whodied suddenly on March 13,2000, aged 50 years.“O Lord, welcome his soulinto Paradise and from theremay he be together with theRisen Christ.”So sadly missed from hishome at Ceannard, Bornish,South Uist, by his wife, Mary,daughters Jessica, Jane,Helen and Alana.The families fromBishopbriggs, Gerinish,Newton Mearns, SouthBoisdale and Fr. Colin,Ecuador.

MacINNESIn fond and loving memoryof John (Iain), a dearly lovedhusband and dad, died sosuddenly on March 11, 1995.R.I.P.Sorely missed.Sacred Heart of Jesus, granthim eternal rest.Our Lady of Lourdes, prayfor him.Chrissie and family.

MacINNESRemembering with lovetoday and every day, ourdear brother-in-law anduncle, Iain, who died March11, 1995.Our Lady of Lourdes, prayfor him.Flora, Mike and family, MaryAnn, Donnie and family,Chrissie and family, Oban.

McINTYREOf your charity, pleaseremember in your prayers,the 20th anniversary of JohnA.H. McIntyre, belovedhusband and father, whodied March 14, 1992.Greatly missed.Catherine and Kathleen.

McKEOWNPrecious memories of ourmuch loved mother,Catherine (O’Keefe), whodied March 14, 1994; ourdear father, Patrick, diedOctober 5, 1975; her brother,Patrick, died March 14, 1975and Mary McKeown, muchloved daughter, sister andaunt, died November 10,2008. Also Matt Thomson,died November 14, 2009.Much loved husband, fatherand grandfather andMatthew, much loved son,nephew and uncle.May they rest in peace.St Theresa, St Joseph andSt Patrick, pray for them.From Morag and Catherine.

BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE

MEMORIAM

RELIGIOUS MEMORIAM

DEATH

18 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday March 9 2012SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

McGINTY, BridgetThe family of the lateBridget would like to expresssincere thanks to allrelatives, friends andneighbours for their prayers,Mass cards, flowers and kindexpressions ofsympathy and support. Wealso appreciate the kindnessshown to us by staff, pastand present, of St Paul’sR.C. Primary School(Shettleston). Our sincerethanks go especially to FrJohn G. Campbell, Mgr J.Noel Woods, Rev EddieMcDonald and the parishfamily of St Paul the Apostle,for unfailing spiritual supportand for the concelebration ofBridget’s beautiful RequiemMass. Again our gratefulthanks go to Dr G.J. Lynas,Dr J.M. Dunn, Sister ClareMcBride, staff nurse ArleenFaulds and the district nursepalliative care team for thewonderful andcompassionate care ofBridget. Finally weappreciate the help and guid-ance of the staff ofCo-operative Funeralcare(Shettleston).Holy Mass will be offered forthe intentions of all.

MacNEILThe MacNeil family wish tothank most sincerely FatherJohn Paul MacKinnon andFather Tom McCarte forconcelebrating RequiemMass for their late wife andmum Robertha JanetMacNeil. Heartfelt thanks toall relatives, friends andneighbours for the supportshown, and also all who sentcards and floral tributes.Sincere thanks to the funeraldirectors, CaledonianMacBrayne, pass-keepers,organist, choir, soloist, flowerarrangers, printers and to allwho assisted at thegraveside. We would alsolike to thank the manage-ment and staff of HeathbankHotel for catering arrange-ments. We would also like tothank most sincerely FatherDaniel Doherty and FatherTony MacDonald for concele-brating a Funeral Mass inEdinburgh.Holy Mass will be offered forthe intentions of all.

DEAR HEART OF JESUS,in the past I have asked Youfor many favours, this time Iask You this special one(mention your favour), thentake it, Dear Heart of Jesus,and place it within Your heartwhere Your Father sees it,then in His merciful eyes, itshall become Your favour,not mine. Amen. Say forthree days; publication prom-ised. – G.H.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

THANKSGIVING

POWERFUL NOVENAOf Childlike Confidence(This novena is to be said atthe same time, every hour,for nine consecutivehours – just one day). OJesus, who hast said, askand you shall receive, seekand you shall find, knockand it shall be opened toyou, through the interces-sion of Mary, Thy Most HolyMother, I knock, I seek, I askthat my prayer be granted(make your request). OJesus, who hast said, all thatyou ask of the Father in Myname, He will grant youthrough the intercession ofMary, Thy Most Holy Mother,I humbly and urgently askThy Father, in Thy name,that my prayer be granted(make your request). OJesus, who hast said,Heaven and Earth shall passaway but My word shall notpass, through the interces-sion of Mary, Thy Most HolyMother, I feel confident thatmy prayer shall be granted(make your request); publi-cationpromised. – B.C.

GRATEFUL thanks to StClare and St Anthony forprayers answered. – B.McD.

DEAR HEART OF JESUS,in the past I have asked Youfor many favours, this time Iask You this special one(mention your favour), thentake it, Dear Heart of Jesus,and place it within Your heartwhere Your Father sees it,then in His merciful eyes, itshall become Your favour,not mine. Amen. Say forthree days; publicationpromised. – E.S.

DEAR HEART OF JESUS,in the past I have asked Youfor many favours, this time Iask You this special one(mention your favour), thentake it, Dear Heart of Jesus,and place it within Your heartwhere Your Father sees it,then in His merciful eyes, itshall become Your favour,not mine. Amen. Say forthree days; publicationpromised.

GRATEFUL thanks to theSacred Heart of Jesus andSt Jude for prayersanswered. - A.B.

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTSMacKINNON17th AnniversaryIn loving memory of my dearhusband, our dear fatherand grandfather, Calum,who died March 14, 1995.R.I.P.Happy memories, keptforever,Of days when we were alltogether.Each of us in our own way,Have special thoughts ofyou today.Close in our hearts yourmemory is kept,To treasure forever andnever forget.Fois shiorruidh thoir dha AThighearna,Agus solus nach dibirdearrsadh air.Inserted by his loving wifeHughina and family.

MOORE24th AnniversaryIn loving memory of our dearmother and gran, Agnes(née Kelly), who died March11, 1988, also our dearfather and pa, Paddy, diedNovember 10, 1976, and ourbeloved sister and aunt,Frances Conway, diedMarch 2, 1991.“We have loved them in life,Let us not forget them indeath.”Inserted by their lovingfamily.

MURPHY11th AnniversaryPlease pray for the reposeof the soul of Bridget Moffatt,who died March 11, 2001,and her husband, Anthony,who joined his sweethearton November 15, 2009.No treasure on earth canreplace you mum and dad.Sleep tight …Inserted by your lovingdaughters Eileen, Brenda,grandson Damien andson-in-law, Allan. R.I.P.

MURPHYPlease pray for the soul ofour dear sister, Kathleen,who died March 12, 1982,beloved daughter of the lateThomas and MargaretMurphy.Our Lady of Lourdes and StJohn Ogilvie, pray for her.Inserted by her family.

NUGENTTreasured memories on thetwenty third anniversary ofour dear dad, John, who fellasleep on March 9, 1989.Also his beloved wife andour devoted mum, Rose,taken from us on September4, 2009.Sacred Heart of Jesus, prayfor them.All their loving family. Xx

RENUCCI1st AnniversaryPrecious memories of mymost cherished father, Ivo,who died on March 7, 2011.“To have known him is tohave loved him.”Rest in peace dad.I will love you always.St Gregory, take care of him.Inserted by his lovingdaughter Maria.

SANDS5th AnniversaryIn loving memory of our dearcousin, Linda, who died onMarch 12.Those who loved you dearlyare thinking of you today.Inserted by Patty and May.

WILSONIn memory of our belovedmother, Margaret McGorry,who died March 9, 1989.With gratitude for the love,care and affection you gaveus all our lives.Inserted by John, Angela,Gerard and Karen.

ROUSETreasured memories of ourwonderful mum, Nan, whodied on March 7, 2002.We reflect with suchadmiration and respect onthe wonderful woman youwere, Mum.You stood with courage tomeet the responsibilities thatfell upon you and sacrificedso much for the love of yourchildren.What you haveaccomplished is more thanyou will ever realise.When we think of all that youhave done for our family,and all the love you sogenerously poured from yourheart, we feel humbled.There will never be enoughgratitude to repay you, butour heart will always be filledwith the joy of knowing yourlove.It is the most precious giftthat we have ever received,for it is the one that youhave so wisely taught us toset free and share with oth-ers.We love you for being acaring person, a remarkablewoman and an exceptionalmum. This love that youhave given will forever livewithin us.Love always from Lesley,Vincent, Audrey and Lor-raine.Loving memories of ourwonderful aunt and greataunt, Nanny Rouse.Forever in our hearts andprayers.Sadly missed, lovinglyremembered.All we ask of you, Nanny,remember us at the Altar ofGod.From Angela, Brian, Ray,Victoria, Claudia andShauna. xxxxxx.Nanny.There are so many wordswe could try to say to you tolet you know how much youmeant to us. But really, thetwo most important feelingswe want you to know are,Thank you for all your love,And we love you with all ourhearts.From all your grandchildren.

Friday March 9 2012 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS 19SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

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20 FUNERAL DIRECTORY SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday March 9 2012SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

MEMORIAM CARDS

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BISHOP CUNNINGHAMGalloway, www.gallowaydiocese.org.uk

BISHOP TARTAGLIAPaisley, www.rcdop.org.uk

ARCHBISHOP CONTIArchbishop of Glasgow, www.rcag.org.uk

BISHOP GILBERTAberdeen, www.dioceseofaberdeen.com

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MON MAR 12 3.15PM Commonwealth Day Service mark-ing the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Westminster Abbey, Lon-

don. WED 14 12NOON-7PM Exposition of BlessedSacrament, The Immaculate Conception, Jedburgh; 2PMMeeting of St Cuthbert’s Deanery, Borders, The ImmaculateConception, Jedburgh; 7.30PM Lenten Station Mass for StCuthbert’s Deanery, Borders, The Immaculate Conception,Jedburgh. THU 15 10.30AM Meeting of secondary schoolheadteachers, Gillis Centre; 6PM Consulate of Ireland

Reception for St Patrick’s Day, George Hotel, Edinburgh.FRI 16 7.45AM St Patrick’s Day Breakfast, Sheraton Hotel,Edinburgh. 12NOON-7PM Exposition of Blessed Sacra-ment, St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh; 2PM Meeting of StGiles, City of Edinburgh Deanery, St Mary’s Cathedral,

Edinburgh; 7.30PM Lenten Station Mass for St Giles, Cityof Edinburgh Deanery, St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh. SAT17 11.30AM St Patrick’s Day Mass with Kiltegan Fathers,

St Margaret’s, Stirling.

SUN MAR 11 11AM Mass, St Joseph’s, Faifley. MON 1211AM Finance Council; 4PM Flourish Board Meeting; 7PM

Station Mass, St Andrew’s Cathedral. TUE 13 7PM Station Mass, Our Lady of Lourdes, Cardonald. WED 14

11AM Heritage Commission; 7PM Station Mass, StPatrick’s, Anderston. THU 15 7PM Station Mass, St

Mungo’s, Townhead. FRI 16 Rotary Club Civic Dinner. SAT17 11AM Mass of St Patrick with Irish community, St

Andrew’s Cathedral.

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SUN MAR 11 Confirmations, St Margaret’s, Roybridge.WED 14 Lenten Mass, Our Lady of the Assumption,

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SUN MAR 11 10AM Mass for third Sunday in Lent, St JohnBosco’s, Erskine. MON 12 8AM Mass, St Mirin’s Cathedral,Paisley; 9.30AM Pre-Confirmation visit, St Anthony’s PS,Johnstone; 11AM Pre-Confirmation visit, St David’s PS,Johnstone. TUE 13 8AM Mass, St Mirin’s Cathedral, Pais-ley; 9.30AM Pre-Confirmation visit, St Margaret’s PS, John-stone; 11AM Pre-Confirmation visit, Our Lady of Peace PS.WED 14 8AM Mass, St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley. THU 158AM Mass, St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley; 9.30AM Pre-Con-firmation visit, St Fillan’ PS, Houston. 11AM Pre-Confirma-tion visit, St John Bosco’s PS, Erskine. 2.30PM Assembly ofClergy, St Columba’s Hall, Renfrew. FRI 16 8AM Mass, StMirin’s Cathedral, Paisley; 9.30AM Pre-Confirmation visit, StPatrick’s PS, Greenock; 11AM Feast Day Mass, St Patrick’s

PS. SAT 17 8AM Mass, St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley.

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SUN MAR 11 2.30PM Confirmations, St Margaret’s, Airdrie.MON 12 7PM Confirmations, St James’s, Coatbridge. TUE13 7PM Confirmations, Our Lady and St Joseph’s, Glen-boig. THU 15 7PM Confirmations, St James’s, Coatbridge.

SUN MAR 11 1PM Liturgy Meeting, St Mary’s Cathedral.MON 12 10.30AM Meeting with Nigel Don MSP, Bishop’sHouse; 2.30PM Meeting with members of Aberdeen CityCouncil education department, Bishop’s House. WED 14

10.30AM National Sponsoring Body of ACTS meeting, Sal-vation Army Citadel, Aberdeen. 7PM Aberdeen Gang Show,Arts Centre. FRI 16 7.30PM Station Mass Our Lady of Kin-corth, Aberdeen. SAT 17 11AM Grampian Police Memorial

Service, St Machar’s Cathedral, Aberdeen.

Scottish solidarity isin abundant supply

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

LIFE, justice and community.These are the core principlesof The Mungo Foundation.Even without the give-awaysaintly name, this immedi-

ately identifies the organisation as aCatholic one; at its heart are the core val-ues of the Church’s social doctrine. Thefoundation was established in 1977 bythe late Cardinal Thomas Winning. Hesurveyed the scene in his archdioceseand realised that action was required.As is well-known, Glasgow suffers

from some of the worst deprivation inScotland, and, indeed, Europe. Side-by-side with areas of great affluence aresome of the most poverty-stricken peo-ple in our country. From a Catholic per-spective, that poverty does not justexpress itself in monetary terms: itshows in high levels of addiction, ofhomelessness, and of exclusion. Thelatter is particularly true for those suf-fering from mental health issues, and,increasingly, from dementia.The 1970s was a particularly fruitful

period for Catholic social justice, and inScotland the Mungo Foundation is oneof its greatest legacies. Its values docu-ment is a perfect reflection of the per-son-centred approach that Popes haveargued for ever since Pope Leo XIII:“What gives The Mungo Foundation’sapproach to caring and supporting peo-ple its uniqueness is its rootedness insound Christian values. The reason thatwe provide services is not based onfinancial reward but on a belief that we,as a Church organisation, should beinvolved in providing a range of serv-ices to people with different needs sothat they may live their lives to the fullin the community and realise their fullpotential.”There is no doubt that this ‘rooted-

ness in sound Christian values’ sets thefoundation apart from other careproviders. Not, I would hasten to add,that these do not provide great services,on the contrary. Yet the sense that a per-son is more than the sum of his/her needand economic potential pervades thecare provided by the foundation, in away that is very different from the careprovided by others in the same field.This expresses itself concretely in a

number of different ways. To beginwith, the organisation strives to assistpeople to live an independent life. Likeall Catholic aid organisations, it is thereto offer a helping hand in partnershipwith the recipient. That is a first pre-requisite if the primacy of the person’sdignity is to be upheld.Secondly, the foundation works to

enhance communities. This communalaspect of society, as opposed to thefragmented individualised approach sotypical of many care providers, is, onceagain, a very real expression of Catholicsocial teaching. It is by being active inthe community, and by activating thecommunity, that the foundation givesexpression to the solidarity that lies atthe core of Catholic belief in social jus-tice. Again, the foundation works withthe communities in which it is based,and consults widely to ensure that theopinion of those whom its work directlyaffects is heard.Finally, although the foundation

clearly states that it is open to people of

all faiths and none, it does aim to growthe spiritual life of those it works with.It does this by creating greater under-standing between those of differentdenominations and faiths, and by ensur-ing that its staff understands the needsof the different people in their care.

The range of people that theMungo Foundation works with isstaggering, and provides an indi-

cation of just how many groups are leftbehind, even in our society with its rel-atively well-built welfare state.Amongst the main target groups of its

work, the Mungo Foundation includesthe homeless, asylum seekers, young

single mothers, those addicted to alco-hol and drugs, people struggling withmental health issues, those with learn-ing disabilities, the sensory impairedand older people in isolation or suffer-ing from dementia.The assistance for all these people

has many facets. The foundation pro-vides sheltered housing, care homes,assistance with learning and day care.Importantly, the foundation is also thelargest single provider of relief breaksfor those looking after relatives withlearning disabilities. For anyone famil-iar with the heroic effort that goes intothis type of care it will be immediatelyobvious what an incredibly importantservice this is. The Mungo Foundationis the single largest provider of this typeof assistance in Glasgow. Again, oneencounters that essential element ofCatholic social justice: the emphasis on

the dignity of the individual. Naturally,that encompasses carers as well as thosebeing cared for.In 2004, Archbishop Mario Conti

decided that Glasgow Archdioceseshould no longer be directly responsi-ble for the running of the foundation. Itbecame a company, but on its board oftrustees the Church retains a sizeablepresence. The trustees include the arch-bishop as well as the chancellor of thearchdiocese. By now it has a £17 mil-lion budget and a staff of 800. Thesecare for 1500 people in need in 11 localauthorities in Scotland. The numbersare impressive, indeed.

Also impressive is the other organ-isation that I wish to highlighttoday, the Jericho Society. This

is yet another initiative from the 1970s,from 1970 to be precise.Agroup of men

under the leadership of a priest fromPaisley Diocese came together to begina ministry amongst those despised mostby contemporary society: the alcoholichomeless. Under the slogan of ‘Jesusamong the people,’ the men began tolive in community and provide assis-tance to those no longer able to lookafter themselves.There is a peculiar similarity with the

Apostleship of the Sea, here. Like theAoS, the Jericho Society felt close to thefounder of PrinknashAbbey— and indi-rectly of Pluscarden—Aelred Carlyle.When he began his monastic life, he didso amongst the poorest of the poor in theEast End of London. Later, when he hadleft the monastic life, he served as aparish priest in British Columbia, wherehe once more worked amongst the mar-ginalised. The brothers approachedPrinknash and have since become affil-iated with that house.It was not until 1990 that a monastery

was opened in Kilbarchan, where thereis now a small community of Benedic-tine Oblate brothers. This is the spiri-tual heart of the Jericho Brothers’movement and its noviciate. From here,prayers go up for the work of the housesthat the movement has all across Scot-land, and, indeed, the UK. In Scotland,the houses are found in Dundee, PortGlasgow, Edinburgh and Greenock.Since 1985, the brothers also havehouses in England, and, since 1990,even one in India.In all, there is space for some 92 men

and women recovering from their alco-hol dependency. In the houses, profes-sional help is provided to addicts tobreak their dependency on drink, andchildren of dependent mothers are alsocared for. In addition, a house in Girvanis run as a holiday home in the country-side for those whose whole lives arenothing but street corners and shopdoorways.

All this is most impressive.As hasbeen highlighted throughout thisseries, Catholic social teaching

does not shy away from urging us toassist those in greatest need, regardlessof the reasons for that need. This meansthat we ought to provide help in pris-ons, that we ought, like the MungoFoundation, to speak up for asylumseekers, and that, like the Jericho Soci-ety, we ought to see Jesus in the alco-holic sleeping under cardboard on apark bench.The brothers receive a great deal of

assistance from the community whichthey have created, the Jericho Neigh-bours. These are people from all overthe country who have heard of thework, and who have volunteered a con-tribution, be it financial or practical.Solidarity, that key-word of Catholicsocial justice, and community, that key-concept of our Church, are thusenshrined in the work of the Jerichomovement. Both the Mungo Founda-tion and the Jericho Society are twogreat examples of the rich fruits ofCatholic social teaching in our country.

� If you wish to become a member of theJericho Neighbours, please contact theBrother Secretary, Jericho Neighbours:[email protected]

The most vulnerable members of our societycan be sure of help from organisationssuch as The Mungo Foundation and alsothe Jericho Society

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING 21Friday March 9 2012 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

DR HARRY SCHNITKER’S latest series takes a look at the encyclicals anddocuments released that are related to the Church’s social teaching

22 CELEBRATING LIFE SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday March 9 2012SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

EWTN PROGRAMMESSUN 11 MARCH9AMDANA SINGS: IRELAND'SCLASSIC MELODIES11.30PMLENTEN REFLECTIONS1PMLIVE SUNDAY MASS4PMLIFE ON THE ROCK5PMTHE WORLD OVER7PMEWTN THEOLOGY ROUNDTABLE8PMTHE BEST OF THE JOURNEYHOME10PMVATICANO11PMBENEDICTIONMON 12 MARCH1PMLIVE HOLY MASS9PMCATHOLIC ACTION INSIGHT:BISHOP SALVATORECORDILEONETUES 13 MARCH1PMLIVE HOLY MASS8PMTHE JOURNEY HOME9PMKEEPER OF A GIFT

WED 14 MARCH1PMLIVE HOLY MASS9PMTRIAL AT TARATHURS 15 MARCH1PMLIVE HOLY MASS5.30PMST PETER: ICON FOR LENT7PMLENTEN PARISH MISSION8PMEWTN LIVE9PMTHE CROWN OF THE AVENTINEFRI 16 MARCH1PMLIVE HOLY MASS7PMFORGOTTEN HERITAGE:EUROPE AND OUR LADY8PMTHE WORLD OVER9PMBURMA—THRESHOLD OF HOPE9.30PMREALITY CHECK EPISODE 210PMCRASH COURSE IN THE SAINTSSAT 17 MARCH1PMLIVE HOLY MASS7PMRIVER OF LIGHT

LAY READERS’ GUIDEby Fr John Breslin

SUNDAY MARCH 11Sunday Lent 3/B. Exodus 20:1-17. Response: You Lordhave the message of eternal life. 1 Corinthians 1:22-25.

John 2:13-25.

MONDAY2 Kings 5:1-15. Response: My soul is thirsting for God,the God of my life; when can I enter and see the face of

God? Luke 4:24-40.

TUESDAYDaniel 3:25.34-43. Response: Remember your mercy,

Lord. Matthew 18:21-35.

WEDNESDAYDeuteronomy 4:1.5-9. Response: O praise the Lord,

Jerusalem! Matthew 5:17-19.

THURSDAYJeremiah 7:23-28. Response: O that today you would

listen to His voice! ʻHarden not your hearts.ʼ Luke 11:14-23.

FRIDAYHosea 14:2-10. Response: I am the Lord your God; listen

to my warning. Mark 12:28-34.

SATURDAYFeast of St Patrick. Jeremiah 1:4-9. Response: Go outto all the world and tell the Good News. Acts 13:46-49.

Luke 10:1-12.17-20.

SPOT

LIGH

TON

...

As part of the preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress, which will take place in Dublin this June, children from Waterside, Derry,recently took part in the programme for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Pictured with them are Fr Roland Colhoun, Glendermott parishpriest, and Br Isaiah Viotte from the Community of St John in France

Do you have a specialoccasion from your parishor a celebration at yourschool that you wish to

share with the SCO? If so,e-mail our local newseditor Martin Dunlop:

[email protected]

Celebrating Life THE brothers of the Strathkelvin Circleof the CatenianAssociation prepared fortheir upcoming amalgamation with theGlasgow Circle by gathering togetherfor their last social function as a circle.

The brothers, joined by their counterpartsin the Glasgow Circle, welcomed friends andfamily to the Cadder Golf Club for theirannual clergy night. In thanks for their serv-ice to the archdiocese, each year clergy areinvited by the brothers for an evening ofrelaxation and entertainment, and theStrathkelvin Circle made sure to go out witha bang, with their last clergy night being oneof their most successful.

More than a dozen parish clergy and sev-eral retired priests sat down for an eveningmeal with the wider Catenian communitybefore settling down for a night of goodmusic and conversation, as the Vezza familyled the way on keyboard and mandolin, pro-viding an Italian flavour for the evening withtheir expert melodies. Compered by BrJackie Kane, the musical evening continuedothers taking the stage, including Jim Dolan,who had travelled from Bailieston to treatthe guests with his own repertoire.

As ever, the Catenian Association weregathered for more than just a social occasionand the fundraising efforts of the StrathkelvinCircle on the night raised almost £1000 for

charity. Marie Curie Cancer Care and Let theChildren Live each received a donation of£320 from the Catenian Association, while athird donation of £320 was given to a parish

school in Malawi which has been supportedfor many years by the pupils of St Maurice’sHigh School, where Br Dominic Sunderlandis deputy headteacher.

The brothers of the Strathkelvin Circle cannow look forward to continuing their workas they join forces with their colleagues inGlasgow.

Strathkelvin Catenians gather together one last time

Members of the clergy relax after the meal at theStrathkelvin Circle of the Catenian Association’slast clergy night before they amalgamate withthe Glasgow Circle

PUPILS at Lochyside Primaryin Fort William welcomedLinda Martin to their schoolas part of Diversity Week.

Lochyside pupils have beenlearning about other faiths andcultures, and were delighted

when Mrs Martin joined themto teach them about the Jewishfaith.

Speaking about her life aspart of a Jewish family, MrsMartin described the intricatecustoms and traditions in the

Jewish faith and brought numer-ous artefacts and items relatedto Judaism to allow the childrento interact with each other andtest their new knowledge.

As part of the programmeprimary seven pupils later trav-

elled to Calderwood Primary, aJewish school in Glasgow, tomeet Jewish children of theirown age, before visiting a syna-gogue to gain a more practicalunderstanding of Judaism.

PIC: ANTHONY MacMILLAN

Lochyside Primary School pupils take pride in diversity

By Martin Dunlop

EUROPEAN religious education was thefocus of the 2012 Cardinal Winning Lectureheld at Glasgow University.Dr Liam Gearon (inset right), from Oxford Uni-

versity and a senior research fellow at Harris Man-chester College, gave this year’s lecture—attendedby Archbishop Mario Conti—titled ‘EuropeanReligious Education and European Civil Religion.’Those present (main right) heard DrGearon speak

about the changing understanding of religious edu-cation across the European Union and the threatsto faith-based and doctrinally focused learning.Dr Gearon presented a critique of recent

research into European religious education, whichclaims that increased interest in religion in publicand political life, as manifested particularly in edu-cation, is evidence of counter secularisation.He argued, on the basis of the political theolo-

gies research, that rather than representing countersecualarisation, such developments represent anemergent and secularising European civil religion,facilitated through European religious education.Professor Robert Davis, professor of religious

and cultural education and deputy dean of Glas-gow University’s faculty of education, was‘delighted’ to welcome Dr Gearon for the talk andspoke positively about the lecture and the impactit had on those present.“The lecture was very well received and Dr

Gearon’s style of presentation connected with a lotof the interests of the audience, particularly teach-ers,” he said, adding that the discussion sessionfollowing the lecture had proved to be ‘veryengaging.’Michael McGrath, director of the Scottish

Catholic Education Service, said that this year’slecture ‘offered very thoughtful insights into thedevelopment of attitudes towards the acceptedplace of religion in the world today.’

“Dr Liam Gearon traced the significant impactof the Enlightenment on political thought and sug-gested how this was determining the nature of‘civil religious education’ in Europe today, causing

it to become more about ‘citizenship’ than aboutreligious faith,” Mr McGrath said. “The audiencewas challenged to consider the potential conse-quences of such an approach on Catholic schools

and non-denominational schools in Scotland andbeyond.”


Europe is the focus of Cardinal Winning lectureCELEBRATING LIFE 23Friday March 9 2012 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

Scots College students accepted as Holy Order candidatesBy Chris Lennon

THREE students of the PontificalScots College in Rome wereaccepted as candidates for HolyOrders by Cardinal Keith O’Brienduring a Mass in the collegechapel on February 16.Michael Carrie of DunkeldDiocese,

Martin Delaney of Motherwell Dio-cese and Nick Welsh of St Andrewsand EdinburghArchdiocese (left) willnow begin to prepare to be ordained asdeacons and priests in the near future.An important milestone in a semi-

narian’s journey, the Rite ofAdmissionto Candidacy marks the Church’ssolemn and public approval of theirmoving into a new phase of more seri-ous discernment and formation, andthe candidate’s own public commit-ment to prepare himself ‘in mind andspirit’ to give his life ‘in faithful serviceto Christ and the Church’ as a priest.

Martin Delaney spoke of his ‘joy’at being accepted as a candidate and‘the real sense of support and encour-agement’ he felt as he looked aheadto the future.All three candidates arenow in their fifth year of formation,during the course of which they haveengaged in a programme of univer-sity studies, spiritual formation,on-going courses in human develop-ment, as well as regular pastoralplacements, both in Rome and intheir own dioceses.Cardinal O’Brien, during his hom-

ily, spoke of his own vocation andlife as a priest, bishop and cardinal,reflecting with the candidates thatthey were ‘caught up’ in a reality thatwas bigger than themselves andwhich required a great openness toGod and His will for their lives.Afterreceiving the students’ public decla-ration of commitment, the cardinalspoke of the Church’s ‘joy’ and

prayed that God would ‘bring to ful-filment’ the good work begun in theirlives. In accordance with the wishesof Blessed John Paul II, the candi-dates will now wear clerical dress,mindful of the Church’s prayer dur-ing the rite that they be recognised as‘Christ’s witnesses in the world.’The college was privileged to wel-

come the cardinal who, in addition toreceiving the candidates, was inRome to participate in the recent con-sistory and to attend a Symposium onAfrica and Europe. He was joined byfriends of the students and universitystaff, and by Mgr Charles Burns(inset left), who on February 19, wasmade a Canon of the Vatican Basilicaof St Peter, the first Scottish priestever to receive this honour.At the endof the meal, the college made a smallpresentation to Mgr Burns to markthe occasion and in gratitude for hislong friendship to the college.PICS: MARK McLEAN

SISTER Roseann Reddyfrom the Sisters of theGospel of Life recentlyjoined the students at theEdinburgh Catholic Stu-dents Union where shedelivered a pro-life talk.Sr Roseann was invited by

the CSU as part of its regularevents held each Sunday afterthe evening student Mass, andspoke at length about the pro-life movement, with which sheis intimately involved, andabout the formation of the Sis-ters of the Gospel of Life.More than 50 students were

present at the union for SrRoseann’s talk.“Sr Roseann was excellent.

Everyone who attended wasvery impressed,” Chris Oldroydof the Edinburgh CSU said.“The traditional view of thepro-life movement is purelyabout helping babies, but SrRoseann also spoke about help-ing women, which gave us anew perspective on the issue.”It was a theme which stu-

dents in Edinburgh returned toas the university’s Life Societylater met with the EdinburghUniversity Feminist Society for

a showcase debate, with mid-wife and post abortion helplineworker Mary Doogan and JoanDillon, who spoke about femi-nism from a pro-life perspec-tive, taking their place on thepro-life panel.

Bringing the pro-life message to studentsStudents at Edinburgh University’sCatholic Students Union listen atten-tively as Sr Roseann Reddy, from theGlasgow-based Sisters of theGospel of Life, speaks about pro-lifeand the formation of her order

PICS: PAUL McSHERRY

24 VOCATIONS SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday March 9 2012SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER

WHEN PopeBenedict XVIspoke to theyoung peopleof Scotland at

Bellahouston Park he made aparticular call for them to dedi-cate themselves to God, andTurnbull High School in Bish-opbriggs continued the efforts torealise this hope, as the schoolheld a ‘Careers Day With a Dif-ference,’ inviting pupils to take afresh look at vocations.

With so much focus oncareers after school, the pupilswere presented with an outline

of the religious life, with all therewards and trials that discern-ing a vocation can bring.

The hard work of RE teacherMike Hughes in preparing theevent was rewarded as the pupilsengaged in an exciting andunusual look at the ‘careers’they could pursue after school.

“It was great to put across themessage of how a vocationcomes about, whether lay orclergy, to the children,” TurnbullHigh School teacher JohnMcKenna said. “The childrenreacted very positively. Theyasked a lot of good questions

and took a great interest.”

As he spoke during thePapal Mass in Bella-houston Park, the Pope

took the opportunity to call foryoung people in particular towork hard to answer God’s call.

“I would like to say a word toyou, my dear young Catholics ofScotland,” the Holy Father said.“I urge you to lead lives worthyof our Lord and of yourselves.There is only one thing whichlasts: the love of Jesus Christpersonally for each one of you.Search for Him, know Him andlove Him, and He will set youfree from slavery to the glitter-ing but superficial existence fre-quently proposed by today’ssociety. Put aside what is worth-less and learn of your own dig-nity as children of God.

“I pray that many of you willknow and love Jesus Christ and,through that encounter, will ded-icate yourselves completely toGod, especially those of youwho are called to the priesthoodand religious life. This is thechallenge the Lord gives to youtoday: the Church now belongsto you!”

Several groups representingthe various ways weanswer Pope Benedict’s

call to holiness gathered to givethe pupils an insight into theirvocations. Among them werethe Cardinal Winning Pro-LifeInitiative, the Society of St Vin-cent de Paul, Craig Lodge andlocal clergy, while the school’sSVDP and Young Franciscansgroups took part.

Sr Andrea Fraile of the Pro-Life Initiative spoke to the chil-dren about her own vocation andthe work she carries out throughthe pro-life movement.

“Sr Andrea spoke about herwork to the pupils, putting acrossthe point that this is one of thebiggest issues facing the worldtoday,” Mr McKenna said.

Thanks to the insight given bythe groups and individuals thechildren left with a clearer pic-ture of vocations in the modernday and better prepared toanswer Pope Benedict’s call foryoung people to become thesaints of the 21st century.

DO YOU FEEL THAT GOD ISCALLING YOU TO THEMISSIONARY PRIESTHOOD?

TTHHEENN WWEE CCAANN HHEELLPP YYOOUUThe Society of African Missionaries (SMA Fathers)is an international group of Missionary Priests.

Today we are active in Liberia,Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Zambia,Tanzania, South Africa and otherAfrican countries working aspartners in the rapidly growing Church.

WILL YOUJOIN US?

Send thecoupon for

more detailsabout ourlifestyle

I wish to know moreabout the work of the Society of African Missions

NAME.......................................AGE............ADDRESS.........................................................................................................................POSTCODE.................................................

Please print clearly and send to:FR. PATRICK McGUIRE

SMA, St Theresaʼs, Clarendon PlaceDunblane, Perthshire FK15 9HB

Is God calling you to alife of Love and Service?

Contact theSaint Joseph of Cluny Sisters .

Sr Mary: 0141 8815142Sr Ruth: 01465 713673

Website: www.sjc. ie

Congregation of Alexian BrothersThe Alexian Brothers, as followers of Jesus the

Healer, dedicate their lives to serving the sick andthose on the margins of society. They do this with the

support of prayer and community life.

Is Jesus calling you?For information contact:

Director of Vocation Alexian Brotherswebsite: www.alexianbrothers.ie

Contact: [email protected] Tel: 00353 94 937 6996

JERICHO“The

Compassion ofJesus.”

Drug &Alcohol Rehabs.,Refuge for Victims ofDomestic Violence,

SupportedAccommodationfor the Destitute, the

Distressed, and all being‘passed by on the other side.’ACOMMUNITYOFMEN OF PRAYER FOROUR TIMES (founded 1970)

Vocation info fromBro Patrick Mullen,The Jericho Society,

Mater Salvatoris, Harelaw Farm,Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, PA10 2PYScottish Charity SC016909

Tel: 01505 614669Email:

[email protected]

Pupils prepared to answer Pope’s callMindful of the words of Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Scotland in 2010 where he invited young people to become ‘saintsof the 21st century,’ DAN McGINTY gives us an insight into how Turnbull High School is attempting to put those words into action

Next vocations feature is April 13Call 0141 241 6105 or email

[email protected] for more information

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Sr Andrea Fraile from the CardinalWinning Pro-Life Initiative picturedwith Turnbull High School pupilsduring their ‘Careers Day With ADifference.’ Sr Andrea spoke to thechildren about her own vocationand and the pro-life work that sheundertakes

PIC: PAUL McSHERRY

Documents

Friday March 9 2012 |£1 Redefining marriage would be shameful · newspaper article. The cardinal hopes that his message will be heard by all MPs, including Scottish MPs, who will