New Steps to Eliminate Abuse What Is Most Beautiful, Most Grand, Most Appealing and at the Same Time Most Necessary,’ He Writes

TARA MATHE’S Pupils from ST MICHAEL Christmas single ALOYSIUS’ CHOIR TURNBULL looks raises money for perform alongside at the history of pro-life charity famous tenor the Scottish flag Page 3 Page 4 Page 13 No 5546 VISIT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER ONLINE AT WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK Friday November 29 2013 | £1 Pope’s apostolic exhortation places focus on mercy By Ian Dunn AN EXTENSIVE document detailing Pope Francis’ vision for a Church where mercy is dominant, HOLDING proportion is necessary and all are welcome sparked great interest when it was released this week. HISTORY Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the IN HIS Gospel), released on Tuesday, is the Holy Father’s HANDS first apostolic Pope Francis holds the relics exhortation, one of St Peter as he celebrates of the most Mass for the end of the Year authoritative cat- of Faith in St Peter’s Square egories of Papal document. at the Vatican last Sunday. The Holy Father wrote the new The Holy Father spoke about document in response to the Octo- the centrality of Christ in our ber 2012 Synod of Bishops on the lives during the Mass. More New Evangelisation, but declined on pages 6-7 to work from a draft provided by PIC: PA PHOTOS synod officials. His first encyclical, Lumen Fidei, published in July, was mostly the work of his prede- cessor, Pope Benedict XVI. In the 50,000 word document, the Pope said he desires a more decentralised Church, one which is ‘bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets,’ and warns ‘excessive centralisation, rather than proving helpful, com- plicates the Church’s life and Her missionary outreach.’ The Church’s message ‘has to concentrate on the essentials, on New steps to eliminate abuse what is most beautiful, most grand, most appealing and at the same time most necessary,’ he writes. I “In this basic core, what shines Scottish Church unveils a three-part plan to increase transparency and tackle the problem forth is the beauty of the saving ing those who have been harmed.’ 15 per cent resulted in a prosecution, 10 Catholic Church in Scotland,” he said. love of God made manifest in By Ian Dunn Archbishop Tartaglia also said the per cent are still under investigation and “My appointment is a generous sign Jesus Christ who died and rose Church was launching the three new the remaining 14 per cent are described of respect not simply for me but for the from the dead,” he adds. THE Church in Scotland has initiatives ‘in a spirit of openness and as ‘unknown historical cases.’ Church of Scotland; and I am pleased to Inspired by Jesus’ poverty and unveiled a new three-step pro- transparency,’ and in recognition of the The second initiative will be an exter- be able to help the Roman Catholic concern for the dispossessed dur- gramme to increase transparency fact that ‘safeguarding is a priority nal ‘Review of Safeguarding Protocols Church in Scotland in what has been for ing His earthly ministry, Pope and ‘eliminate abuse’ by clergy. within the Church, and all who work in and Procedures’ which will assess the them a difficult year. But my first con- Francis calls for a ‘Church which In a letter read out at all of Scotland’s the Church must realise this.’ suitability and robustness of safeguard- cern is not to support the Catholic is poor and for the poor.’ The poor 500 Catholic parishes last Sunday, ing procedures and the quality and Church: rather it is to seek the best ‘have much to teach us,’ he writes. Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow Three–step programme rigour of their implementation nation- protection of many vulnerable children “We are called to find Christ in spoke on behalf of Scotland’s bishops, The first initiative is the publication of ally. This review will be directed by and adults.” them, to lend our voices to their saying the Church has learned from the all Diocesan Safeguarding Audits from Very Rev Dr Andrew McLellan, CBE, He added that ‘in pursuing that aim I causes, but also to be their friends, mistakes of the past. 2006-2012, giving a statistical break- former moderator of the General will be determined to discover the truth to listen to them, to speak for them “We recognise the trauma and pain down of reported safeguarding inci- Assembly of the Church of Scotland and to make clear recommendations.’ and to embrace the mysterious wis- that survivors of abuse have suffered dents during those years. and formerly Her Majesty’s Chief “I am very much encouraged by the dom which God wishes to share and we are committed to providing for These figures show a total of 46 alle- Inspector of Prisons. independence I will have in selecting the with us through them.” them both justice and healing,” the gations were reported, of which 55 per Finally, the Church will also carry out membership of the panel, detailing its president of the Bishops’ Conference of cent related to sexual abuse, 19 per cent a statistical review of all historic cases remit and deciding on its timescale; and I Continued on page 11 Scotland says. to physical abuse, one per cent were alle- of abuse from 1947-2005, and report by the assurance I have been given that Archbishop Tartaglia went on to say gations of verbal abuse and one per cent back next year. the Catholic bishops will accept our rec- that 2013 had been ‘a test of faith’ for were in connection with emotional abuse. ommendations,” he said. Scottish Catholics, but the Church was Of those accused, 56 per cent were Review “Over the remaining weeks of 2013, I committed to ‘consolidation of our priests, 22 per cent were volunteers, 11 Dr McLellan said he agreed to take on hope to turn my attention to these matters safeguarding practices, the renewal of per cent were parishioners and the the role to ensure the safety of children so that I can announce the particulars of trust in our unshakeable commitment to remainder were staff or other people and vulnerable adults. the review process and structure early atoning for abuse in the past, guarding connected to the Church. There have “I have agreed to chair the review in 2014.” against abuse in the present and elimi- been no prosecutions in relation to 61 panel which will instigate and complete nating abuse in the future, and support- per cent of all cases reported. A further a review of ‘awareness and safety’in the I Continued on page 7 SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT I tel 0141 221 4956 I fax 0141 221 4546 I e-mail [email protected] 2 WHAT’S ON SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29 2013 PICTURE OF THE WEEK What’s On A weekly guide to upcoming Church events SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30 tact: [email protected] I Dumbarton Churches or: fiona.j.mitchell@ Together service at Dumbar- hotmail.co.uk ton Castle to celebrate St Andrew’s Day at 12 noon. FRIDAY DECEMBER 6 Provost Douglas McAllister, I Catholic Nurses Guild of Lord McFall and Donald Scotland’s Annual Day of Hardie, the Keeper of the Cas- Recollection; Schoenstatt Cen- tle, will be joining the multi tre, The Clachan, Campsie faith group from churches Glen, Glasgow G66 7AB, across West Dunbartonshire. from 10.30am to 4pm. Dumbarton Churches Together All nurses, health care work- is also planning services for St ers and friends are welcome. Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow bestowed the Sacrament of Confirmation on primary four pupils from St Joseph’s Primary School at St Patrick and St Columba. Cost £20. Joseph’s Church, Milngavie, last Thursday. The archbishop is pictured with parish priest Fr Pat Currie and Mgr James Ryan, the St Joseph’s pupils, For further information, call Anne Friel, their head teacher, teachers, catechists and servers after the Mass. The joyful day masked concern however. The future of the primary SUNDAY DECEMBER 1 0131 665 3639 or 01475 I school remains uncertain as parents and teachers fight to keep Catholic education in their town in spite of East Dunbartonshire Council’s closure St Mary’s Cathedral, Edin- 725252 plans for St Joseph’s Primary. According to schools quango Education Scotland, nearly 600 people responded to the council’s recent consultation burgh, an opportunity to meet INight of Musical Youth, St on plans to close the school, with an overwhelming majority understood to oppose the proposals Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Lucy’s, Hornbeam Road, PIC: PAUL McSHERRY Andrews and Edinburgh, Cumbernauld at 7pm.Tickets: 3.30pm-5pm. A period of £5 (pay at the door). reflection and reconciliation as Advent begins. SATURDAY DECEMBER 7 I Free Advent retreat for Glasgow hosts Catenians’ centenary celebrations MONDAY DECEMBER 2-FRIDAY young adults in Aberdeen Dio- DECEMBER 6 cese, Dominican Sisters, A CIVIC dinner to mark the centenary of the I Dominican Sisters from Greyfriars Convent, Elgin, Glasgow Circle of the Catenians Association Elgin are running an Advent 11am-6pm. Lunch will be pro- was held in Glasgow City Chambers last retreat at St Columba’s, vided and day will end with Wednesday, hosted by Baillie James Scanlan. Bridge of Don. Events each Vigil Mass. RSVO via The guests included Archbishop Emeritus Mario evening from 7pm-9pm. https://www.facebook.com/ev Conti and Deacon Convener Hamish Brodie. Pat ents/543946695692325/? Grant, president of the Glasgow Circle, addressed TUESDAY DECEMBER 3 ref=22 the Catenians and their wives at the dinner. I Advent retreat at St Peter’s, I Carols for All in Aid of the A Mass of thanksgiving for the group, the first Aberdeen, with the Franciscan Apostleship of the Sea, established in Scotland, was celebrated at St Sisters, 2pm-3pm, soup and 12noon-1pm, St Peter’s, Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow, last Saturday by sandwich from 1.15pm.

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