Scottish Catholic Observer

Scotland stands at a threshold this year, with the independence referendum coming ever closer. Efforts by faith communities to ensure religious freedom is protected in any written constitution are commendable, and a sign that Church and state do and must work together. Historically Scotland has not had the best track record on religious freedom, and the ongoing problem of sectarianism—this week documented in the first major survey of Catholic views—is a remnant of that. But common ground must be found in spite of differences, whether independence comes or not.

Someone who succeeded in transcending differences was Margo MacDonald (above), the late MSP for Lothian region, who commanded the respect of her peers and a broad cross-section of society. She worked right up until the end of her life championing the causes she believed in, something which, given the challenge of Parkinson’s disease to her own health, was commendable and admirable. It won her sympathy in addition to the respect she already commanded. She died, however, not knowing if her controversial and very personal bid to legalise assisted suicide in Scotland would ever be successful. It was a bill that, in the end, she never needed. Hard cases do indeed take us to the brink of making bad laws.

Ms MacDonald remains very much in the thoughts and prayers of everyone who met her, and many who now never will. Those at her memorial service in Edinburgh later this month are expected to wear bright colours, at the late MSPs request. They are also expected to set aside their differences—political, moral and even religious—to commemorate her life.

One likely absence on that day will be Cardinal Keith O’Brien, a friend of the late MSP in spite of their different options on the sanctity of life and their personal crosses. The cardinal’s admissions last year led to his departure from public life and, in the end, from Scotland. His actions are reported to have prompted, at least in part, the arrival of Maltese Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna in St Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese this week at the request of Pope Francis. While Bishop Scicluna’s experience of dealing with allegations of abuse and misconduct is well documented, the exact aim of his visit remained, as the SCO went to press, something only the Vatican knows.

God, grant us this Holy Week the wisdom to know the difference been fact and speculation, justice and vengeance, and to give us hope that our Church here in Scotland soon finds healing, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace needed to continue its great works.