Scottish Catholic Observer

A motion lodged by Patrick Grady, SNP MP for Glasgow North, noted the work of the Catholic fraternal organisation in ‘encouraging the development of young people in local communities and around the world,’ and fundraising ‘for other local and national charities.’

The motion was signed by fellow SNP MPs Alison Thewliss, Carol Monaghan, Chris Stephens, David Linden, Stephen Gethins, Brendan O’Hara and Martin Docherty-Hughes.

Labour’s Paul Sweeney, Hugh Gaffney and Stephen Pound also signed the motion as did the DUP’s Jim Shannon.

‘backbone’ of charity

Mr Grady said: “The Knights of St Columba are a backbone of charitable service in many parishes around the country.

“There is certainly a sense of pride that the roots were first planted 100 years ago in Glasgow, and that an organisation which now has branches across the UK, and was a founder of the global fraternity of Catholic lay Knights, is named after one of Scotland’s patron saints.”

Inspiring

He added that he remembered ‘growing up in Inverness when a local cell was established’ in his home parish, and ‘how quickly thereafter the presence was felt in parish and community activities and charitable efforts.’

He said it’s ‘been inspiring to see so many young men at the Glasgow University Chaplaincy, parishioners at the Glasgow North constituency, make a commitment to the brotherhood, and they have recently constructed a beautiful altar dedicated to St Joseph which has been installed in the Turnbull Hall chapel.’