Glasgow and Motherwell, Believed Orange Perceived by Some As a Threat.” Seen As Contributing to Sectarianism, with Who Made an Appointment
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DUMFRIES ROBERT CASSIDY CHURCHES CALL primary on the saintly for religious wins WWI gift of Pope freedom in competition. John XXIII constitution Page 4 Page 8 Page 3 No 5564 VISIT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER ONLINE AT WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK Friday April 11 2014 | £1 Vatican sends bishop to look SECTARIAN SCOTLAND I Attitudes today revealed in largest investigation into Catholics’ experiences at archdiocese By Ian Dunn THE largest ever survey of Scottish AN EXPERT from the Vati- investigated many allegations of Catholics’ attitudes to sectarianism can has visited the St clergy abuse, until 2012, when has found that many still believe it to Andrews and Edinburgh he was made an auxiliary bishop be a serious problem for Scotland. Archdiocese to look into alle- in Malta. The Conforti Institute’s Anti-Sectarianism gations of misconduct. In a statement Archbishop Project report finds that many Catholics An ad clerum letter from Cushley said he was ‘grateful to believe that sectarian bigotry still affects Archbishop Leo Cushley of St the Holy Father’ for sending their lives. The listening project details Andrews and Edinburgh to the Bishop Scicluna as he believed meetings in parishes and other groups with priests of his archdiocese reveals the visit would be ‘a positive hundreds of Catholics in seven of Scotland’s that Pope Francis asked the Vat- step towards truth and eventual eight dioceses. ican’s Congregation for Bishops reconciliation’ and ‘the right Bishop Joseph Toal of Argyll and the to send Maltese Auxiliary thing to do.’ Isles, Apostolic administrator for Mother- Bishop Charles Scicluna to ‘lis- “I am reassured by this and well Diocese, thanked lead programme ten to and report the testimony will be pleased to support officer and report writer Dr Geraldine Hill offered by past and present Bishop Scicluna in any way I and contributing writer Helen Martin at the members of the clergy concern- can,” the archbishop said. “It is report’s release at the Conforti Institute ing any incidents of sexual mis- also important that the Holy See in Coatbridge last Saturday. The bishop fied the risk that parts of the Catholic com- Helen Martin and Geraldine Hill (above), compiled the Conforti Institute’s Anti-Sectarianism conduct committed against them take such steps as are necessary said its findings provided ‘a great deal to munity may not want to talk about sectari- Project’s report PIC: PAUL McSHERRY by other members of the clergy to establish and evaluate the seri- reflect on.’ anism because they fear that even raising the whomsoever.’ ous allegations which have been issue invites the response that sectarianism The Maltese bishop, who was made over the last 18 months or Findings in Scotland will be solved in Scotland with in the archdiocese from Tuesday so. In order to allow Bishop Sci- Among the key findings of the report were the closure of Catholic schools,” the report Complications today to Thursday of this past week, cluna to listen and report fully, I that many Catholics, especially those in states. “Even raising the issue is therefore Football and the Scottish media were also was ‘available to listen’ to those encourage all those concerned to Glasgow and Motherwell, believed Orange perceived by some as a threat.” seen as contributing to sectarianism, with who made an appointment. cooperate serenely with him.” Walks to be ‘an expression of hatred against Another key issue for many was that the media’s role in ‘fuelling negative Bishop Scicluna also asked Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who the Catholic community and variously Catholics cannot accede to the throne, aspects of sectarian attitudes and behav- those who wish to speak with had served as the archbishop of described feeling fear and a sense of unease, because of the Act of Settlement. iour, in particular referring to the publicity him to ‘prepare their narrative in St Andrews and Edinburgh since being intimidated, threatened and offended “One person’s comment captures the around football’ mentioned in all dioceses writing.’ 1985, stepped down from that when they think about them.’ feeling of a good deal of the input,” the that took part in the project. Bishop Scicluna is best known role last year following allega- Although a number of respondents also report states. “‘The real issues is that Amongst younger participants, social for being asked by then-Cardinal tions of personal misconduct. felt Orange marches had declined in popu- Catholics are treated constitutionally as media was mentions as the place where Joseph Ratzinger in 2005 to col- larity in recent years, some participants felt second class citizens. The Scottish Gov- both sectarianism and anti-religious senti- lect testimony regarding the the number of walks allowed was ‘exces- ernment is fudging the issue, it is really ment was seen most. founder of the Legionaries of sive’ and there was support for Orange about institutionalised sectarianism.’” “Facebook and twitter are used as told Christ, Fr Marcial Maciel, who Walks being confined to public parks. Many of those consulted also said there to wind people up, with a feeling that more was later found guilty of sexual Another key issue was that of Catholic remained a stain of anti-Catholic attitudes extreme things can be expressed because abuse. schools, with many participants across dif- across society. One man said that he did the ‘receiver is not face to face, and this Bishop Scicluna served as the ferent dioceses suggesting ‘Catholic schools not send his children to a Catholic school happens on all sides.’ promoter of justice at the Vati- are an easy target to blame for sectarian because ‘he didn’t want his children eas- can’s Congregation for the Doc- behaviour.’ “Early in our project we identi- ily identifiable as Catholic.’ I Continued on page 3 trine of the Faith, where he 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 APRIL 11 2014 Bishop backs MPs and MSPs on plans What’s On By Daniel Harkins and Bellshill, said he ‘wants Councillor Jim Logue, the Ravenscraig to work, but it has to council’s convener of learning A weekly guide to upcoming Church events, BISHOP Emeritus Joseph be on the basis of establishing a and leisure services, said he more online at www.sconews.co.uk Devine has criticised North successful commercial and retail was ‘completely perplexed by Lanarkshire Council and centre rather than building a large Bishop Devine’s highly per- SATURDAY APRIL 12 Office. 7.30pm, Turnbull Hall, questioned its methods. school to encourage housing sonal remarks, especially since I Bread Broken and Shared. Catholic Chaplaincy, Southpark The bishop emeritus said the development.’ three senior diocesan represen- A Lent day which looks ahead Avenue, Glasgow. An council’s plans—to merge Our “What is particularly con- tatives recently met with learn- to Holy Thursday, a day to atmospheric rendition of the Lady’s and Taylor High schools cerning to people is that this ing and leisure officers and had celebrate the Bread of Life by poetry cycle by Anne Murray along with Bothwell Park High, development is to the detriment a positive meeting.’ making bread and reflecting with music by violinist Anne a school for pupils with addi- of existing communities who “The diocesan representa- together. The Ignatian Spiritu- Morgan. Concluding with tional needs, in a new £36m want their schools to remain tives agreed to make a full ality Centre, 35 Scott Street, Night Prayer of the Church. building on the site of the for- where they are,” the MSP said. response through the consulta- Glasgow, G3 6PE. For details Entry free. A collection will mer Ravenscraig steelworks— At a meeting for parents held tion process,” the councillor contact us on 0141 354 0077 be taken up to enable had clearly been rejected by the recently in Our Lady’s High in said. “Statutory consultation is or email admin@iscglasgow voluntary donations school communities involved. Motherwell, parents from the designed to allow everyone in .co.uk I St Augustine’s Choir, In comments referring to wide- school expressed fears about the local community to express I Newmains Lent Saturdays. Coatbridge, Choral Reflection spread disapproval of the plans possible contamination of the their views and have these 11am-3.30pm. The Pastoral for the Season of Lent. A mix from politicians as well as local land the school will be built on. acknowledged and responded Centre will be open with a full of traditional and contempo- parents, the bishop called for Bishop Emeritus Devine said to. It is not for indulging in spiritual programme: Exposition rary choral music and hymns, more weight to be given to the that he will do all in his power highly publicised, emotive and of the Blessed Sacrament with readings. This year, we’ll opinions of local MPs and to protect the school communi- ill-formed comments. 11am-3pm; Confession/ be joined by young musicians MSPs. Bishop Emeritus Joseph Devine is ties involved. “My message to “This process has been con- Reconciliation 11am-12 noon; from the parish who will “As astonishing as it is backing MPs and MSPs against Councillor Logue and his offi- sistently adhered to in all other Angelus and Rosary at 12 perform their own pieces, so regrettable, perhaps one of the school merge plans of North cials is to recognise and accept instances where consideration noon; Led Holy Half-hour at it will add an extra special most bizarre contributions to Lanarkshire Council that their proposals have been was being given to merge 1pm; Stations of the Cross at dimension to the event.