Beatification Decree Brings
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SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR ONLY NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER SEE PAGE 11 FOR DETAILS No 5289 Bishop says coalition is ‘not religiously literate’ Page Prime minister has failed to meet Church leaders, says Bishop Devine 3 No 5399 www.sconews.co.uk Friday January 21 2011 | 90p Beatification decree brings joy PAPAL COLLECTIONS I Scottish hierarchy welcomes the news that Pope John Paul II is to be Beatified this year By Ian Dunn SENIOR members of the Scottish hierarchy have echoed the Holy Father’s joy following the announcement that Pope John Paul II is to be Beatified on May 1. Pope Benedict XVI said that every- one who knew or admired John Paul II shares his joy over the news that he will Beatify his predecessor on May 1 at a ceremony in St Peter’s Square, an event that is expected to bring two mil- SCOTS CATHOLICS lion pilgrims to Rome. “On May 1, I’ll have the joy of pro- are close to reaching claiming blessed the venerable John the £2 million target to Paul II, my beloved predecessor,” cover the costs of last Pope Benedict said. “All those who knew him, all those who esteemed and year’s Papal visit admired him, cannot help but rejoice with the Church for this event.” Page 3 Scottish joy Cardinal Keith O’Brien, president of the ORDINARIATE BEGINS Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said he was one of many with a profound appreciation of Pope John Paul II. DECREE ANNOUNCED “Pope John Paul II was a man followed by ordinations known and loved throughout the world,” he said. “I think it is fair to in London of former say that he was deeply appreciated by Anglican bishops as the world’s bishops, so many of whom he had appointed.” Catholic priests The cardinal added that his personal meetings with the late Pope had deep- Page 4 ened his appreciation of His Holiness. “These are bishops whom he loved and had high regard for and who were DISASTER ANNIVERSARY made especially welcome during ad limina visits not just for formal meet- ings but to both relax with him as a group, and at his table for a meal, and to join in the con-celebration of Mass at his private chapel. In this way he revealed something of his real human- ity... leading us ever closer to Christ.” He added that Pope John Paul II’s cause had been building since his death. “I will never forget him appointing me as a cardinal of the Church and the privilege was mine as a cardinal in sharing in his funeral Mass and listen- ing to the cries of the crowds in St santo subito Peter’s Square of (saint- Both Cardinal Keith O’Brien (inset left) and Marie Simon-Pierre, a 48-year-old Another miracle—occurring after hood now),” the cardinal said. Archbishop Mario Conti (inset right) paid French nun diagnosed with Parkinson’s May 1 this year—will have to be Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow tribute to the former Holy Father Pope John disease, from which Pope John Paul recognised before John Paul II can be HAITI REPORTS said he was also delighted at the Paul II (main) ahead of his Beatification himself suffered. Canonised. announcement last Friday. INSET PICS: PAUL McSHERRY She said her illness inexplicably dis- In Rome officials are already Cardinal O’Brien with “Most of my time as a bishop was appeared two months after his death preparing for what is expected to be SCIAF at anniversary spent under the Pontificate of Pope down in history with that title.” after she and her fellow nuns prayed to the largest gathering in the eternal city Mass, plus ACN and John Paul II. I was hugely privileged to him. Sr Marie added this week that the since the late Pope died in 2005. The meet him on many occasions and was Beatification late Pope had given her ‘a new birth, a pilgrimage from John Paul’s homeland Mary’s Meals updates always struck by his deep devotion and The Congregation for the Causes of second birth.’ of Poland is expected to be particular- wonderful humanity,” the archbishop Saints published the decree for the Church-appointed doctors agreed ly large. Pope Benedict told the Polish Pages 12-13 said. “I am not alone in having Beatification last Wednesday. The that there was no medical explanation people that he knows their joy is par- described him as ‘John Paul the Great’ announcement of the Beatification for the curing of the nun. ticularly profound at this time. in the years following his death, and I came after Pope Benedict approved a Under normal Church rules a mini- “This news was much awaited by am sure that conviction is shared by decree attributing a miracle to Pope mum five-year waiting period is everyone and in a particular way by millions round the world. I look for- John Paul—who died in 2005 after a observed following a candidate’s death Poles, because John Paul had been ward to the day when he will be num- Papacy of almost 27 years. before the procedure leading to saint- their guide in faith, in truth and in free- bered among that small group of Popes Church officials have said the mira- hood can begin. A month after his death, dom,” he said. in history such as St Leo the Great and cle attributed to the intercession of however, Pope Benedict XVI began St Gregory the Great who have gone Pope John Paul with God concerned Sr the cause for Pope John Paul II. I [email protected] SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT I tel 0141 221 4956 I fax 0141 221 4546 e-mail [email protected] 2 NEWS SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday January 21 2011 Peter’s presentation to Pope recounts a memorable visit POPE Benedict XVI was Hall, Mr Jennings presented a recently presented with a copy of the book to Dr Alberto copy of the official book Gasbarri, head of the Vatican recording his state visit to delegation which organised the the UK in September by its Apostolic Journey made by author Peter Jennings. Pope Benedict and which took Mr Jennings presented the him to Edinburgh Glasgow, book to the Holy Father (right) London and Birmingham, dur- at the Vatican on December 15, ing Thursday September 16 to following his weekly audience. Sunday 19. The Pope was then presented Francis Campbell, the British with a special prayer card for Ambassador to the Holy See, the Canonisation of Blessed and who has two contributions John Henry Newman, produced in the book, hosted a special by the Catholic Truth Society. reception in Rome on Monday The Holy Father took great December 13 in recognition of interest in the prayer card, look- the book. ing carefully at the reproduction Mr Jennings is press secretary of a photograph signed by to Archbishop Bernard Longley, Cardinal Newman, then aged of Birmingham, and to 82, at the Oratory House on Birmingham Archdiocese, roles March 11, 1883, for a visitor, he also fulfilled under Archbishop and then turned the card over Vincent Nichols during the lat- and studied the prayer. ter’s time as Archbishop of Before the start of the General Birmingham from 2000-2009. Audience, held in the Paul VI PIC: L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO PIC: EDDIE MAHONEY Carols by candlelight illuminate Christmas at St Bride’s Flowers and a fond farewell from St Patrick’s pupils AN ecumenical Carols by conducted by Fr Kevin Golden Readings were given by Rev AT A special assembly, the ment to Hilda McNaughton. behalf of the children with Candlelight service was and was attended by the minis- Dorothy Anderson, Rev children and staff of St Mrs McNaughton has worked Daniel Harding, primary two, held at St Brides Church, ters and members of the local Donald Fraser and Rev David Patrick’s Primary School, as a cleaner and has been a Maria McCulloch, primary five Monifieth, during the congregations of Monifieth Jamieson of Monifieth Parish New Stevenston, Motherwell, much-loved part of the school and her own grandchildren, Amy Christmas period. Parish Church and Holy Trinity Church and Rev Angela said a fond farewell and for more than 20 years. McNaughton, primary seven and The service (above) was Scottish Episcopal Church. Hughes of Holy Trinity. wished a very happy retire- She is pictured receiving gifts on Ewan Miller, primary six. Erin Renfrew, a primary three SPOTLIGHT ON... pupil at St Charles Primary School, Newton, was amongst the winners in the recent Scottish Catholic Observer schools Christmas competition. Erin is pictured, with her win- ning entry, receiving her prize from SCO reporter Martin Dunlop and some of her classmates PIC: DAN McGINTY Friday January 21 2011 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER NEWS 3 Scottish Catholics near Coalition is ‘not religiously literate’ Papal visit target total Motherwell Bishop accuses PM and Government of failing to meet with Church leaders THE generosity of Scottish Catholics means By Ian Dunn intensify given that we have reached the that 90 per cent of the stage in Britain when in a landmark case Church in Scotland’s costs BISHOP Joseph Devine of the High Court in England was asked to for last September’s Papal Motherwell has made a scathing atta- rule on whether experienced Christians visit have now been met. ck on the coalition government and were ‘fit people to adopt or foster chil- Cardinal Keith O’Brien Prime Minster David Cameron, say- dren!’” the bishop says.