Scottish Catholic Observer

The long-term future of the Redemptorist community at St Mary’s Monastery, Kinnoull, has finally been secured after Perth and Kinross Council approved the order’s most recent planning application for the development of 19 new houses on land owned by the monastery’s trustees.

The application was approved at a meeting of the council’s Development and Management Committee on Wednesday morning, and means that the Redemptorists will now be able to raise a large part of the £2 million required for critical renovation work at the 141-year-old neo-Gothic B-listed building. The approval came in spite of a report by the development quality manager recommending the application be refused and a small but vocal group of opponents throughout the process.

Prayers answered

Reacting to Wednesday’s news, Fr Ronald McAinsh CSsR, provincial superior of the order, described the decision as ‘an answer to prayer.’

“I am absolutely thrilled at this excellent news,” Fr McAinsh said. “It is a real answer to prayer.”

The Redemptorist community had applied to the council for an enabling development to build 19 luxury homes in a neighbouring field on Kinnoull Hill, land owned by the trustees.

In April last year, a previous application, submitted in tandem with private housing developer Cala, was refused on the casting vote of the committee chairman in spite of an appeal by Cardinal Keith O’Brien.

The most recent application, however, was approved by nine votes to four at the Council Chambers in Perth. Fr McAinsh expressed his wish to thank Cardinal O’Brien and all those that have supported the community throughout its rigorous application procedures.

“The cardinal gave us very good support and I look forward to thanking him,” Fr McAinsh said. “We are grateful for all the support we have received, not only from Scottish Catholics but from all the churches.”

Reacting to the news, Cardinal O’Brien spoke of his delight at the announcement.

“I rejoice with very many people at the decision of Perth and Kinross Council,” the cardinal said. “Having worked closely with the Redemptorists at Kinnoull over the years, and recently, I do appreciate their magnificent apostolate to many people in Scotland and from all over the world at St Mary’s Monastery.

“I am delighted to think that this magnificent apostolate will continue afresh following this decision today.”

Fr Gerard Mulligan CSsR, course director at St Mary’s, represented the order at Wednesday’s meeting and was said to be ‘delighted with the outcome.’

Plans for monastery

The acceptance of the building development application means that the Redemptorist community will be able to press ahead with plans to undertake much-needed renovation work at the popular retreat centre.

The work will include the installation of a new central heating system, the upgrading of all electrics in the building, the installation of en-suite bathrooms in some of the rooms and the possible development of conference facilities at the monastery, as well as the improvement of all common areas.

Fr McAinsh noted that—as the community has various commitments to fulfil—the Redemptorists will not be able to close the retreat house immediately but will, instead, arrange a committee to decide the best course of action for the proceeding months. St Mary’s Monastery is recognised as an international, multi-cultural and ecumenical place of retreat that offers visitors the opportunity for relaxation, renewal and rest on a prominent hill overlooking Perth.

The Redemptorist community offers a full programme of courses and retreats as well as serving the local community with weekly church services.

If Wednesday’s decision had gone against the community, Fr McAisnh had admitted that St Mary’s would be faced with the very real threat of closure and the trustees would have had to look at the situation ‘very closely.’

The acceptance of the enabling development application, however, means that the order will be able to ‘continue its ecumenical work.’

“We hope to be a quality sanctuary and retreat house for the people of Scotland for many years to come,” Fr McAinsh said.

The news was also welcomed by Fr Kieran Brady CSsR, director at St Mary’s.

“We would like to thank everybody that has supported us and we are delighted to share this news with them,” Fr Brady said.

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