Scottish Catholic Observer

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be the biggest multi-sports event that Scotland has ever hosted, more than 6000 athletes and officials from 71 countries to the city to compete in 17 different sports in 13 venues over 11 days from July 23 to August 3.

In addition to supporting More than Gold’s efforts to help find accommodation for volunteers and families of Commonwealth athletes coming to the city—as previously reported in the SCO—Glasgow Archdiocese’s involvement in the Glasgow 2014 Games is part of the wellspring of events and activities being prepared by the churches to show that ‘people make Glasgow’ a welcoming city.

Clergy in Scotland are preparing to celebrate Mass in the athlete’s village every day during the Games, and the archdiocese aims to help parishes near Glasgow 2014 venues meet the needs of the influx of visitors expected to visit to the city, many of whom are coming from traditionally Catholic countries.

Mgr Paul Conroy, Glasgow’s vicar general and parish priest at Sacred Heart Church, Bridgeton, is working along with ecumenical officer Liz Taite on both the More than Gold programme and with the official providers of spiritual and pastoral provision for the Commonwealth Games. The latter group is under the direction of the Rev Stuart D MacQuarrie, Anglican chaplain at Glasgow University.

“In addition to having daily Mass in the athlete’s village, we are aiming to have local parishes open for Mass and to showcase the work of the Church and affiliated groups at these parishes,” Mgr Conroy said.

A highlight of the Church’s involvement will be the celebration of Mass by Archbishop Tartaglia at St Andrew’s cathedral on Clyde Street to honour the Commonwealth Games. This is planned for Sunday July 27.

The Commonwealth Games are also a fully integrated event, with elite athletes of different physical abilities competing during the same Games, unlike the Olympics and Paralympics Games that took place separately in London in 2012.

— Don’t miss your SCO special supplement with all your

Commonwealth Games Church information coming this summer

—This story ran in full in the March 28 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.