Catholic Schools Are Capital Idea Theocracy, but Rather to Defend Our Freedom to Answer Christ’S Call to Serve Others
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ARCHBISHOP PHILIP TARTAGLIA urges Don’t miss the SPE CIAL SOUVENIR parents and teachers to be SECTION in honour of Pope advocates of marriage ahead of Benedict XVI’s eight year Scottish Parliament bill. Pa ge 3 Pontificate in NEXT WEEK’S SCO No 5506 YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLICwww.sconews.co.uk NEWSPAPER SUPPORTS THE YEAR OF FAITH Friday February 22 2013 | £1 Scottish Mass for the Pontiff; Conclave may begin next day SCOTS can attend a special Mass in Motherwell Cathedral, next Thursday to give thanks for Pope Benedict XVI on the final day of his Pontificate. As Scots pay tribute to the departing Holy Father, the cardi- nals to elect the new Pope, includ- ing Cardinal Keith O’Brien, could enter a conclave to elect his suc- cessor as early as the next day. “We will look for—and find—a man steeped in a lifetime of prayer, someone of great wisdom, strength of character and pastoral awareness, with a global perspective on the Church in the world ready to lead God’s people onwards again towards that mountain top where they will find Jesus Christ,” Cardi- nal O’Brien said. Bishop Joseph Devine of Moth- erwell will preside at the Mass of Thanksgiving for a Pope he said would be remembered as ‘one of Christendom’s great heroes.’ “In Europe, Christians bearing witness to their Faith are openly denounced, ridiculed or discrimi- nated against Pope Benedict has proved to be one of Christendom’s great heroes and led by example,” the bishop said. “He was an excel- lent shepherd, not asking us to politicise our Faith or impose Catholic schools are capital idea theocracy, but rather to defend our freedom to answer Christ’s call to serve others. Let us gather to cele- I brate Benedict’s Christian leader- So many parents opt for Catholic education that Edinburgh primaries are oversubscribed ship and pray that others will follow in his footsteps.” By Ian Dunn 25 children in primary one next year remarkable ethos is why parents want Pope Benedict XVI saw the impact of The Mass of Thanksgiving will and significantly greater numbers than their children there. However I think Catholic education in Scotland first hand be celebrated on February 28 at when he met pupils from St Peter’s Primary EDINBURGH’S Catholic primary that have enrolled.” the council does have to make sure School in Edinburgh at Cardinal O’Brien’s 7pm in Our Lady of Good Aid schools are facing unprecedented Ms Service said St John’s had always there are enough places for everyone.” house on Sept 16 2010, the day the Holy Cathedral, Motherwell. demand for places, with nearly faced an issue meeting demand but that Solution Father arrived in Scotland to begin his Papal Fr Federico Lombardi, head of every school in the capital faced the situation had grown more pro- visit to the UK the Vatican’s Press Office, has said with turning away pupils starting nounced lately. Pupils who do not receive a place PIC: PAUL McSHERRY that plans to begin the selection of Primary 1 in August. “Catholic schools have a wider catch- requested in one of the Catholic schools the new Pope as soon as possible The number of catchment and out- ment area, so a lot of parents have the will be offered a place in their local were being explored. “It is possi- of-catchment registrations currently option to send their children there,” she non-denominational school, or a plac- with demand but non-Catholic parents ble that Church authorities can exceeds places available at 12 of the said. “We’ve also had an influx of Pol- ing request for elsewhere. Edinburgh had to be reasonable. prepare a proposal to be taken up capital’s 15 Catholic primary schools. ish children in recent years but we also City Council guidelines state that in the “In the case of Catholic schools, we by the cardinals on the first day Catholic education in the city is so have a lot of Muslim children whose case of Catholic schools, where appli- need to ensure Baptised pupils are after the Papal vacancy,” he said. attractive to parents that primary parents like the school’s values. In addi- cations from those living within the given places in the first instance and we schools are also attracting increasing tion there have been a lot of new hous- catchment area exceed the number of are confident we can cater for all of I More than 35,000 register for Holy numbers of non-Catholics. ing estates built in the city as well.” places available, priority is given to them,” he said. “However, placing Father’s final audience, see page 8 those ‘ who declare an affinity with the requests are getting even more difficult I Cardinal O’Brien on preparing for Ethos Appeal religious beliefs of the school.’ In these to accommodate and the reality is many conclave, see page 9 One such school is St John’s Primary, Michael McGrath, director of the Scot- cases, parents must submit evidence parents may not get their requested I Archbishop Emeritus Conti on Portobello where head teacher Barbara tish Catholic Education Service, said that their child has been Baptised in school. I would encourage them to Pope’s health, see page 9 Service said it was the special atmos- the news proved the appeal of and need Catholic Church. Children who already think twice about their local catchment phere of Catholic schools that appealed for Catholic education. have siblings in the school are also school—we have excellent teachers to and attracted parents. “This is good news, it certainly coun- given preference. working in wonderful schools across “What I hear from parents is that it is ters the myth that Catholic education is Councillor Paul Godzik, the Edin- the city.” the Catholic ethos that draws them in,” not popular,” he said. “It is a mark of burgh city’s council’s education leader, she said. “I’m expecting two classes of the success of Catholic schools, and the said he believed the city could cope I [email protected] SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT I tel 0141 221 4956 I fax 0141 221 4546 I e-mail [email protected] 2 PICTURE NEWS THE SCO SUPPORTS THE YEAR OF FAITH SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday February 22 2013 Archbishop Philip Tartaglia (above) officially opened Lentfest 2013 with tenor Martin Alred, artist Alexander Moffat and Lentfest director Stepehn Callaghan. (Left) A preview of Lourdes by St Mungo Academy S6 Caritas pupils. The arch- Lentfest offers art and Faith events bishop is a former St Mungo pupil PICS: PAUL McSHERRY By Ian Dunn “I see this festival as part of the courtyard of the gentiles initiative Festival has its own surprises and highlights,” he said. “This year where Catholics and non-believers can come together in appreciation we are delighted to have the great Sandy Moffat give of his time LENTFEST, Glasgow’s Lenten arts festival was officially of beauty and truth,” he said. “A truth that we believe leads ulti- and talent, and the great concerts of brass music and Gaelic music opened on Ash Wednesday by Archbishop Philip Tartaglia at mately to God.’ will be special highlights. But Lentfest is very much a community the Glasgow Archdiocesan offices with a taster of the heady At the launch event, attendees were given a flavor of many of the arts festival and some of my best memories are of taking theatre to mix of art and faith on offer for the next six weeks. fine performances, which will be on show throughout the festival. the housing schemes of Glasgow and finding there receptive audi- Now in its seventh year, and having picked up endorsements from Taylor Logan, a pupil at St Mungo’s Academy, performed a beauti- ences and the warmest of welcomes.” the Vatican as well as some of Scotland’s leading artists along the ful version of Let it Be by The Beatles, actors from the AGAP com- Mr Callaghan, who was praised by Archbishop Tartaglia, for the way, this year’s festival is themed around the Year of Faith and Arch- munity theatre group performed an extract from The Pilgrimage, a play ‘ridiculously long’ hours he works putting the festival together bishop Tartaglia said that was central to its appeal. which will tour Glasgow parishes during the festival. In addition, one also said the spiritual dimension of the festival was essential. “The aim of the festival is to reach out to people of all faiths and of Scotland’s best known painters, Sandy Moffat, produced a new work “As we enter Lent I think it’s important to be upbeat about the none with the Christian message as expressed in art,” he said. “This during the opening ceremony while opera singer Martin Aelred per- journey of prayer and fasting we are undertaking,” he said. “And I year’s Lentfest promises an amazing array of opportunities for peo- formed music from Puccini’s Messa di Gloria. Mr Moffat’s painting really believe Lentfest represents that.” ple across the Glasgow area to engage with faith through art.” will now be auctioned to support the Scottish Catholic International Archbishop Tartaglia, paid tribute to the festival’s founder Arch- Aid Fund’s (SCIAF’s) Syria Emergency Appeal. I For Lentfest events, tickets and festival passes, visit bishop Conti, who was present, and said he had long admired the Stephen Callaghan, the director of Lentfest, told the SCO he http://www.agap.org.uk festival from ‘across the river’ when he was bishop of Paisely.