— Court of Session in Edinburgh rules against Catholic midwives’ right to exercise their conscience
Local Archives
Forced to supervise abortions
The Court of Session in Edinburgh has ruled that midwives can be forced to supervise the carrying out of abortions, a move Archbishop Conti of Glasgow said ‘contradicted’ Scotland’s ‘most basic freedom.' On Wednesday, Judge Lady Smith rejected the case brought by Catholic midwives Mary Doogan, 57, and Concepta Wood, 51,... read more
No consensus on anti-bigotry bill
Opposition parties unite to condemn the SNP’s actions after the Scottish Government passes The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Bill
The SNP used its majority at Holyrood to pass The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Bill yesterday, over the objections of all the opposition parties. Under the new law will two new offences will be created targeting sectarian behaviour in and around football matches and on the internet. Those... read more
Church opposition to redefining marriage
The Scottish Government’s consultation plan on ‘same-sex’ marriage rings alarm bells. Church will oppose, say bishops
The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has questioned the validity of the Scottish Government’s public consultation on marriage between homosexuals. The bishops expressed concern that the decision to legalise marriage between homosexuals had already been taken and the public consultation would not be taken seriously by the government. The 14-week public consultation on... read more
Embracing the new Missal
Bishop Toal and Archbishop Conti speak of the challenge and necessity of the new translation
Bishop Joseph Toal and Archbishop Mario Conti have told Scottish Catholics to embrace the ‘marvellous opportunity, challenge and necessity’ of the new English translation of the Roman Missal ahead of the first Scottish parishes adopting it this weekend. The changes to the Liturgy, which will be applied in all Scottish parishes... read more
Proceed with due caution
Church urges the use of prudence and wisdom in laws to govern football fans
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
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
Bishop Logan: 30 years of service
— Cardinal Keith O’Brien leads the tributes to the Bishop of Dunkeld at anniversary Mass in Dundee
Bishop Vincent Logan celebrated the 30th anniversary of his Episcopal installation as bishop at a packed St Andrew’s Cathedral in Dundee on Tuesday evening. Before and during the Holy Mass to mark the occasion the Catholic community, including priests and people from every parish in Dunkeld Diocese, paid tribute to the... read more
Oban cathedral restoration gears up for Mary MacKillop thanksgiving Mass
THE parish community of St Columba’s Cathedral, Oban, is looking forward to celebrating a Thanksgiving Mass for Mother Mary MacKillop, St Mary of the Cross, next month as cathedral restoration work continues to gather apace.
Cathedral administrator Canon Donald MacKay commended the tireless efforts of parishioners who have been fundraising throughout the year to ensure that internal restoration work—including the re-wiring and re-lighting of the church as well as the installation of a new heating system—could take place at the cathedral of Argyll and the... read more
Cardinal reiterates his opposition to the Act of Settlement
CARDINAL Keith O’Brien has reiterated his opposition to the anti-Catholic Act of Settlement.
Speaking to an Irish newspaper the cardinal made clear his hostility to the act, that not only forbids a Catholic to accede to the British throne, but also stipulates that anyone in line to the throne who marries a Catholic forfeits their claim to the monarchy. “I find it sad that... read more
Elliot Sloan brought gifts to Pope Benedict XVI
Hugh McLoughlin reports on a young parishioner from Motherwell Diocese who took part in the Offertory procession during the Papal Mass at Bellahouston Park
WHEN Anne Sloan received a call asking if her son, Elliot would like to take part in the Offertory procession during the Papal Mass at Bellahouston Park, she was somewhat more than absolutely delighted. The call came from James Connelly, formerly headteacher of Firpark School, Motherwell, and a long time stalwart... read more
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- Paisley Diocese Confirmations in full swing, reports with photographs from St Mirin’s Cathedral.
- Notre Dame Folk Choir from the US heading to St Kentigern’s in Edinburgh.
- Rennie McOwan looks at patron saints and, in the lead up to World Communications Day, explores the works of St Francis de Sales, patron saint or journalists.
- Scottish Bible Society reports that Peru is trying to emulate its Bibleworld project
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