Scottish Catholic Observer

July 8 2016

Imagine a country where celebrating Mass was prohibited by law. Where the very presence of priests was forbidden and angry, violent men burst down many a door to find them and drag them away.

This is not Raqqa under ISIS now but Scotland just three centuries ago. The tri-centenary of the hidden seminary at Scalan is a chance to reflect on the history of the Faith in Scotland and the lessons that we can learn from it.

Three hundred years ago Mass could only be celebrated in secret and to train to be a priest was taking a huge risk. We rightly note that the Scotland of 2016 is increasingly secular, and those of faith are ignored and marginalised but things could be much worse. Compared to those who set up Scalan we can practise our Faith with unbelievable freedom.

It is only right that the annual Mass at Scalan is a vital part of the life of the Church, and this year, the 300th anniversary saw great celebrations at Glenlivet. As Archbishop Cushley rightly notes, those ‘brave tenacious men’ risked their lives to keep to old Faith Alive in Scotland. This is the faith that was handed down to them from St Columba, the Faith that has breathed and sustained in this country for over a thousand years.

To keep that flame alive those men risked everything. Would we do as much? Celebrating our past honours those who went before us but it also asks us to live up to their example.

Bishop Gilbert of Aberdeen’s powerful pastoral letter asking us to love those who sit next to us in the pews but are from elsewhere give us much to think about. As the bishop says they bring so much to our parishes, enriching them in countless ways. As he says ‘one of those commandments is to love the stranger in our midst. May we do so’.

Too often we get all too caught up in our own lives, our own obsessions to offer that gift of welcome. It is easily done. At this time, when the political future is unclear, many non- native Catholics, Poles, Irish, Italians and more are feeling upset and anxious, unsure of what their future will hold. None of us can say what the days, weeks and years to come will bring, but we can and we should all strive to ensure they feel welcomed and treasured in our parishes this weekend.