Scottish Catholic Observer

Today marked an historic moment for Catholics in Scotland, as Archbishop Leo Cushley celebrated the first ever Mass in the Scottish Parliament.

MSPs gathered at Holyrood for the Mass during Holy Week, which was celebrated by Archbishop Cushley of St Andrews & Edinburgh at 12.30pm this afternoon (March 28).

The archbishop described it as a ‘great privilege’ to celebrate the Mass at parliament.

“It is a great privilege to be officially invited to offer Holy Mass within the Scottish Parliament, the first such invitation since the parliament’s re-establishment 19 years ago,” he said. “It is a generous gesture which seems to recognise that Catholics are valued participants in the civic life of contemporary Scotland, where we seek to work with others in advancing the common good.”

Among those MSPs in attendance at the Mass were deputy first minister John Swinney, as well as fellow SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham.

Neil Findlay, Elaine Smith, Monica Lennon, Alex Rowley and Mark Griffin were present from the Labour Party, while Scottish Conservative MSPs Annie Wells and Donald Cameron, and Mike Rumbles of the Liberal Democrats, were also among the congregation

Director of the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office Anthony Horan said it was ‘fitting’ due to the meaning of the name Holyrood.

“The celebration of Holy Mass, the summit of Catholic life, is an opportunity to express prayers for the work of our elected representatives and for the common good of society,” he said. “Of course, Holyrood means Holy Cross, so in that sense, parliament is a most fitting place for this historic celebration.”