Church urges the use of prudence and wisdom in laws to govern football fans
Scottish Catholic Observer
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Proceed with due caution
The Catholic Church has urged the Scottish Government to show suitable caution as it presses ahead to bring in new legislation before the football season begins next month. As the SCO went to press, the Scottish Parliament was set to vote on the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Bill,... read more
Historic steps for Stornoway’s first parish
Cardinal Keith O’Brien became the first cardinal to set foot in Stornoway when he joined Bishop Joseph Toal of Argyll and the Isles for the 50th anniversary of the parish of Our Holy Redeemer on the Isle of Lewis—and Britain’s most senior Catholic clergyman brought a strong Christian message with him.
“There are indeed those who are indifferent to any religion; there are those who take a stronger viewpoint and are working evermore confidently to destroy the Christian message in our lands,” he told parishioners. “We must be alert to what is going on; we must realise the obligations on us... read more
Pope names new Bishop of Aberdeen
— Dom Hugh Gilbert, Abbot of Pluscarden, will succeed Bishop Peter Moran in Aberdeen Diocese
Pope Benedict XVI has named Dom Hugh Gilbert, the abbot of Pluscarden Abbey, as the new bishop of Aberdeen Diocese and successor to Bishop Peter Moran who has led the diocese since 2003. The Vatican made the announcement last Saturday and Dom Gilbert, head of the Benedictine community at Pluscarden, has... read more
Church woven into fabric of our nation
— First Minister stresses importance of Catholic Church to Scotland at Italian cloister garden opening
Scotland’s First Minister has said that Church involvement in major national events highlights ‘the importance of the Catholic Church in Scotland, as indeed the wonderful visit by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI last year showed the importance of Scotland to the Catholic Church.’ Mr Salmond made this comment during his address... read more
Schools face ‘bigoted’ attack
— Bishop Devine leads dismissal of legal group’s claim Catholic education causes sectarianism
Leading Scottish Catholics have united in their condemnation of an extreme attack on Catholic schools that purported their abolition was the only way of ‘confronting and counteracting sectarianism’ in Scotland. Senior Catholic clergy, lawyers and educationalists have resoundingly dismissed the Scottish Legal Action Group’s call for an end to Catholic state... read more
Catholics under attack
— Next Scottish Government is challenged to tackle anti-Catholic sectarianism after letter bombs and Cardinal O’Brien’s receipt of a bullet by post
A Church spokesman has challenged the next Scottish Government to beat the scourge of sectarianism after revelations that Cardinal Keith O’Brien received a bullet in the post and that a fourth letter bomb targeting Catholics had been intercepted. Call to action Peter Kearney, director of the Scottish Catholic Media Office, made the... read more
A faith-fuelled protest at Faslane
Cardinal Keith O’Brien urges UK Government to give up nuclear weapons programme
CARDINAL Keith O’Brien has urged the UK Government to give up its ‘shameful’ nuclear weapons programme. His Eminence was addressing an Easter witness for peace against nuclear weapons outside the Faslane naval base on Gare Loch where he was joined by representatives from churches across Scotland. Quoting the words of Pope Benedict... read more
Let us strengthen the bonds of love
Apostolic nuncio to the UK speaks at St Andrew’s Cathedral re-opening
— New Missal coming in September
The new Apostolic nuncio to Great Britain told the congregation at the re-opening of St Andrew’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Glasgow that he aims to ‘strengthen the bonds of love’ between ‘the Holy Father’ and ‘the local Church.’ Archbishop Antonio Mennini made his first visit to Scotland last weekend following his reception... read more
Condemnation of a callous murder
— Church leaders and politicians unite to decry the killing of Catholic PSNI officer Ronan Kerr
Church leaders and politicians have decried the murder of a Catholic policeman in Omagh, Northern Ireland, as graffiti praising the killing and threatening further attacks was found daubed on walls in Derry. As the SCO went to press, the funeral of Ronan Kerr (right), a constable for the Police Service Northern... read more
New goals on bigotry
Church calls for fresh approach to tackling sectarianism after anti-Catholic chanting blighted League Cup final tie
The Church is calling for a new plan to tackle sectarianism after what was billed as a ‘showpiece’ League Cup final between Celtic and Rangers was marred by sustained anti-Catholic chanting in spite of renewed pleas for an end to bigoted behaviour. Peter Kearney, director of the Catholic Media Office, said... read more
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- Health care professionals back Catholic midwives’ case against NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde over supervision of staff taking part in abortion.
- Outcry as for-profit abortion clinics are allowed to advertise on television.
- Cardinal O’Brien, Archbishop Conti of Glasgow, Bishop Emeritus Moran or Aberdeen and Bishop Joseph Toal of Argyll and the Isles join celebrations at St Bridget’s Church, Baillieston, for the golden jubilee of Mgr John McIntyre.
- Bishop Philip Tartaglia of Paisley led a solemn evening prayer at St Mary’s Church alongside Mgr Denis Carlin, parish priest at the Greenock church, and clergy from other churches to mark the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
- The International Youth Pro-Life Conference, which has thrived in Scotland, is being held in England for the first time this March
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