Scottish Catholic Observer

Scottish pilgrimages heading for Lourdes this month will not be impacted by the UK’s decision to leave the EU, organisers have reassured travellers.

The first annual trip from Scotland to the Grotto left on Thursday, amid fears that the pound’s dropping exchange rate would drive up costs.

After Britain voted by 52-48% to leave the EU last week, the pound dropped in value against the Euro by 15% and one pilgrim told the SCO they hadn’t ‘changed their money yet’ and was ‘worried I’ll now get buttons for them.’

However Fr Martin Delaney, who is leading the Motherwell Diocese pilgrimage, said they have worked hard to keep costs down for pilgrims so they shouldn’t be affected.

“We’re going full board, so most things are paid for,” he said. “They should just need pocket money so it shouldn’t affect them too much. I’ve been down at the cash and carry buying sweets and drinks today so that’s another thing taken care of. So we’re just looking forward to a really spiritually uplifting trip.”

Chris Thomas, vice president of the Edinburgh Hospitalité, which leaves for Lourdes next week, said regardless of the referendum they’d be ‘powering on.’ “Lourdes is quite expensive anyway,” he said. “So we will definitely notice a difference in what we get for a pound, especially the young people and students. But Lourdes is expensive anyway so we do try and subsidise where we can.”

Fr Jim Morrison of Paisley Diocese, whose pilgrimage leaves June 30, said he didn’t foresee any problems. “I actually thought this might happen,” he said. “So I changed a lot of Euros a month ago just in case!”

Scottish reaction

In Scotland, a spokesperson for the Scottish bishops issued a statement calling for all parties to work together in the aftermath of the referendum.

“The people have spoken,” he said, adding that ‘the Catholic Church hopes that all political parties will now work together for the common good of all, with mutual respect and civility, and we pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in this endeavour.’

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that because Scotland voted by 62%-38% to remain within the European Union in the referendum, she would explore ways to keep Scotland in the EU, which could include a second referendum on independence.

Pope’s comments

Flying back from a trip to Armenia last weekend the Pope said that the vote was part of ‘a climate of division’ across Europe.

The Holy Father said the independence movement in Scotland was part of the same mood.

“These divisions, I don’t say that they are dangerous, but we must study them well, and before we take a step forward for a division, to speak well amongst ourselves, and seek out viable solutions,” he said. “For me, unity is always better than conflict, but there are different ways of unity and even fraternity, and here comes the European Union; fraternity is better than animosity and distance. Fraternity is better and bridges are better than walls. One must reflect on all of this.”

Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster said the result must be respected but warned that a reported upsurge in racism following the vote could not be tolerated.

“This upsurge of racism, of hatred towards others, is something we must not tolerate,” he said. “We have to say this is simply not acceptable in a humane society and it should never be provoked or promoted.”

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—This story ran in full in the July 1 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.