Secularists Spark Foodbank Furore
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Bishop Gilbert Former Vatican re-opens St official Mgr Gregory’s in Docherty’s Preshome. diamond jubilee. Page 3 SUPPORTING 50 YEARS OF SCIAF, 1965-2015 Page 4 No 5630 VISIT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER ONLINE AT WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK Friday July 24 2015 | £1 Islamic State admits kidnap of Christians By Ian Dunn THE Islamic State in Libya has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of three Christians as fears grow the terrorist group may chase Christianity from the lands of its birth. The three Christian men are migrants from three different coun- tries in Africa—Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana. The militant group posted the pictures of the men on jihadi social media websites on Saturday, where ISIS asserted that the three kidnapped men are in fact Christians. Mohamed El Hejazi, a military spokesman for Libya’s official Government, said that the abduction occurred in Noufliyah, an ISIS- controlled town southeast of Sirte. Although the fate of the three men remains unclear, ISIS’ affiliate in Libya has become notorious for releasing videos of bloody mass executions of Christians the group has kidnapped. In February, ISIS released photos in its English-language magazine followed by a video showing the beheadings of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Sirte. The men were abducted during two different attacks last December and early January. An ISIS spokesman in the video was quoted as saying: “We will conquer Rome, by Allah’s permission.” Secularists spark foodbank furore John Pontifex, of the Charity Aid to the Church in Need, which works I with the persecuted Church all over Scottish Secular Society criticises Dundee Foodbank for Christian specific job advert the world, said the situation across the Middle East is worsening rapidly. By Ian Dunn position,” he said. “Clearly, being a Christian and “After all, they can set up their own food bank any- “In general, the situation of sharing Christian values is an intrinsic part of the time, but they’d rather complain about churches Christians in the Middle East has A DUNDEE foodbank has been condemned by post.” employing Christians to do charitable work than do given us much greater cause for secularists for seeking a Christian to lead church Ewan Gurr, Scotland network manager for the it themselves.” concern over the past year,” he said. services. Trussell Trust, echoed these comments saying that Mr Macdonald suggested the Scottish Secular “Many of them have emigrated and The Trussell Trust—a Christian inspired charity applicants’ duties would include ‘leading church Society is ‘more interested in forcing their secular many more would wish to leave. Of that funds hundreds of foodbanks—posted a job services, speaking to a number of church groups, ethos on people than actually helping others.’ course, the objective of the most application online for a manager of Dundee Foodbank, working with predominantly church-based stake- “It’s totally illiberal,” he said. “And really an aggressive Islamist groups is to flush whose duties would include ‘leading church services, holders and, in some cases leading prayers.’ attempt to force churches out of the charity sector. Christians entirely out of the region.” speaking to a number of church groups, working with “To be expected to carry out these responsibilities This is what happened with the Catholic adoption He said the reach of ISIS is now predominantly church-based stakeholders and, in without being open and transparent about the need agencies, and I haven’t seen any secular adoption ‘widespread’ and Christians across some cases leading prayers.’ for them could be deemed to be equally as, if not agencies set up to replace them.’ the region are in danger. However the Scottish Secular Society has claimed even more, inappropriate than appointing someone “They’re not just active in Syria seeking a Christian for this position is an ‘insult’ and to a position in which they feel uncomfortable or are Criticism and Iraq but Libya and elsewhere,” ‘discriminative.’ expected to deliver in areas that may conflict with The Scottish Secular Society argued, however, that he said. “The outlook for Christians their own values,” he said. “I expect Dundee Food- the advert is openly discriminating against those of in the Middle East was already grim, Job specification bank would not wish to put any employee in such a no faith. and it’s growing more bleak. There’s A local priest told the SCO that as ‘the adverts say position, which is why the advertisement has been “Whilst we applaud the work that Dundee Food- an urgent need for action to protect the applicant will need to read prayers, it seems pretty very clear about their desire that the successful appli- bank do, we do not applaud the closed shop employ- Christians in their ancient homeland. obvious to me if someone’s saying prayers, they cant be a person of Christian faith. However, the ment policy they hold against those of other faiths and The question needs to be asked, has should be said honestly.’ foodbank continues to welcome the support and none,” a statement from the secularists said. “There is our government and others taken on A spokesman for the Catholic Church said that the involvement of people from all backgrounds in its no law in this land that allows an employer to openly board this reality?” ‘Dundee Foodbank carries out vital work to help work to alleviate hunger for people.” discriminate against those of a particular faith, yet here tackle the scourge of hunger and poverty that we see In addition the CitizensAdvice Bureau said it was we have another example of discrimination towards I [email protected] too often across the UK, it is affiliated with the acceptable to suggest that applicants belong to a other beliefs and those of no faith. What Dundee Food- Trussell Trust, a well known Christian charity.’ certain religion if it will be an important part of bank, and it is not obvious they are a Christian organ- “As it is run in partnership with local churches the job. isation, are effectively inferring is that unless you are across Dundee and the manager is expected to lead Gordon Macdonald, Parliamentary officer for CARE a Christian, you are unfit for the role. church services, speak to church groups, work with Scotland, a Christian charity,suggested the Scottish Sec- “This is an insult to the thousands of non-Christians predominantly church-based stakeholders and, in ular Society were ‘just trying to stir up trouble.’ who hold charitable roles across the country.” some cases, lead prayers, it is understandable that the ‘I think the secularists are not actually concerned organisation has sought a committed Christian for the about atheists working for food banks,” he said. 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 WHAT’S ON SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY JULY 24 2015 Bishop Robson concelebrates Mass to mark the 50th anniversary of St Columba’s in Cupar with parish priest Fr Patrick McInally and assistant priest Fr Samuel Alabi (below). The bishop and Fr McInally cut a specially made cake to mark the milestone after Mass (right) PICS: EDDIE MAHONEY Clergy and parishioners celebrate 50 years of St Columba’s By Daniel Harkins responsibility the parishioners take in their daily life. Bishop William Hart in 1965. The parish had first of St Columba’s, and the parish was re-established Fr McInally described St Columba’s as a parish been established in the 19th century, with Mass as a separate parish mission. When Fr McCabe ST COLUMBA’S in Cupar celebrated the with a thriving mix of families, many of them first celebrated in 1865 with the Fr William Grady was transferred to Dungeness in Kent he was 50th anniversary of their church with only containing three generations, who have lived in the appointed as first parish priest. succeeded by Fr James Malaney who arranged for their second parish priest in a half century. area for many years. However, when Fr Grady was transferred to the building of the new church and remained as Bishop Stephen Robson concelebrated Mass “There is also a very healthy representation of Haddington in 1869, the Catholics of Cupar were parish priest from 1960 until 1997, when he with parish priest Fr Patrick McInally and assistant young families with children who give the parish served from Kirkcaldy.An attempt to re-open Cupar retired. He died on July 27, 1998. priest Fr Samuel Alabi, and afterward celebrations a very family friendly and youthful appeal,” he as a separate parish mission was not successful and On his retiral from parish ministry the now took place in the church grounds, with ice cream cones said. “We also have a number of teenagers working it was once again attached first to Kirkcaldy, and Canon Malaney was succeeded by Fr McInally, for everyone donated by a local ice cream parlour. towards the Pope Francis Faith Award and the then to St Mary’s Dundee. only the second parish priest since the new In his homily,Bishop Robson spoke of the qualities CaritasAward, and eight of them are walking with me In 1948, at the invitation of the Bishop of church’s opening, and only the third since the re- of leadership, and referred to the uniqueness of St on the Camino de Santiago from Sarria to Santi- Dunkeld, a party of Augustinian priests came to establishment of the parish in 1948. Columba’s, with its two parish priests in 50 years that ago during the first week of September.” Dundee to take charge of SS Peter and Paul parish.