Scottish Catholic Observer

Cardinal Keith O’Brien introduced former MP John Battle to St Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese’s Justice and Peace event at the Lauriston Jesuit Centre on Saturday.

Mr Battle—who had an earlier career in politics and was the national co-ordinator for Church Action on Poverty before his election as MP for Leeds West in 1987, a position he held until his retirement at the last election—spoke to those gathered on the issues of faith and politics ahead of the upcoming Scottish Parliamentary elections.

Cardinal’s introduction

Saturday’s event was organised by Miriam McHardy, co-ordinator for Justice and Peace for St Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese. Mr Battle was introduced by Cardinal O’Brien before giving his own insightful address.

“A former seminarian, throughout his career, John’s faith commitment has been very apparent,” Cardinal O’Brien said.

“He was the first national co-ordinator of Church Action on Poverty which aims to mobilise churches to work under Tony Blair, working to encourage and intensify the dialogue between different faith communities in the UK.”

The cardinal added that Mr Battle, a Fellow of Blackfriars Hall in Oxford, and a patron of the International Young Leaders Network, has a ‘particular concern for issues relating to social justice in many forms.’

In 2009 Mr Battle was recognised for his life-long commitment and loyalty to the Church, and for his political contribution as a member of parliament, when he was awarded a Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI.

He has maintained a strong commitment to the area of international development, both as chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Poverty and on overseas development as well as being a member of the International Development Select Committee, and personally through support for organisations including Cafod and Progressio.

Thought-provoking talk

Ms McHardy said that those present found Mr Battle’s address to be a very ‘though provoking’ and ‘inspiring’ one.

“He spoke of his faith and how this inspires and affects the work that he does,” Ms McHardy said.

She added that Mr Battle highlighted the importance of the need to rebuild our communities and politics ‘from the base’ and noted that the audience were ‘very receptive’ to Mr Battle’s insightful use of anecdotes from his time working as a politician.

Following the address, Mr Battle took part in a lively question and answer session, which was also enjoyed by Cardinal O’Brien.

Mr Battle helped give the audience information and advice in advance of the upcoming Scottish elections with issues discussed including: how our faith informs our political choices and the ways in which we should be particularly alert at the forthcoming vote in May. He also stressed the importance of taking the time to get to know our MSPs and representatives standing for election.

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Pic: Paul McSherry