In His New Year Message, POPE BENEDICT XVI Warns of the Danger
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In his New Year message, PEPO Our YEA R IN REVIEW pullout section takes a BENEDICT XVI warns of the danger look back at some of the major Catholic same-sex ‘marriage’ poses to peace in news stories that made the headlines at Scotland and globally. Page 3 home and abroad in 2012. Pa ges 21-28 No 5498 YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER SUPPORTS THE YEAR OF FAITH December 21-28 2012 | £2 £2 CHRISTMAS/ NEW YEAR DOUBLE EDITION THE NATIVITY PIC CNS/ART RESOURCE/ALBUM 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 December 21 2012 INDEX PAGE 2 PICTURE NEWS PAGE 3 LOCAL NEWS PAGE 4 LOCAL NEWS PAGE 5 NATIONAL NEWS PAGE 7 INTERNATIONAL/VATICAN NEWS PAGE 8-9 BISHOPS’ MESSAGES PAGE 10 CARDINAL’S COMMENT/FR MCGHEE PAGE 12 CHILDREN’S CONTEST SHORTLIST PAGE 13 JOE MCGRATH’S LOOKING FOR THE CHURCH PAGE 14-15 AN INSPIRING LIFE PAGE 16 Q&A, THAT’S LIFE COLUMNS (Above) Cardinal Keith PAGE 17 GAELIC COLUMN O’Brien, Archbishop of St PAGE 18 HARRY SCHNITKER’S HISTORY OF Andrews and Edinburgh, joined some of the residents THE PAPACY SERIES and former residents from St Joseph’s, Rosewell at St PAGE 19 FAITH IN ACTION Matthew’s parish hall recently for the annual PAGE 20&29 JAMES BARCLAY’S Christmas party. Everyone CHRISTMAS STORY was in full party mode. (Right) The ladies from the PAGE 21-28 YEAR IN REVIEW parish who prepared the fantastic party spread; PULL OUT SECTION Margaret Purcell (far left), who recently celebrated her PAGE 30-31 KT BROGAN’S 80th birthday, Maureen Harper, Teresa McGeechan CHRISTMAS STORY and Irene Ewing PAGE 32 LETTERS pictured with Cardinal O’Brien PAGE 33 CHILDREN’S LITURGY PICS: PAUL McSHERRY PAGE 34 SCIAF ON 2012 PAGE 35 ACN’S YEAR IN REVIEW PAGE 36 MARY’S MEALS IN 2012 PAGE 37 FR COLIN MacINNES’ MISSIONS MESSAGE PAGE 38 YEAR OF FAITH COLUMN/ MGR LOFTUS PAGE 39-44 CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 45 EWTN/LAY READERS PAGE 46 JUMBO CHRISTMAS CROSSWORD PAGE 47 NATIVITY/SPECIAL OCCASIONS PAGE 48 BACK COVER SPOTLIGHT ON... 'LRFHVH RI 3DLVOH\ Carols in the Cathedral $ &KULVWPDV FDURO VHUYLFH IRU DOO WKH IDPLO\ Christian churchgoers and members of the community from across Glasgow joined together for a special celebration as the Christmas Crib was blessed at the city’s George Square before Christmas. Lord Provost Sadie Docherty and representatives of the city council attended the blessing, which was accompanied by an evening of music, performed by various groups from across Glasgow, including the St Mungo Singers. Among those taking in the festive celebrations were pupils from the local St Francis’ Primary School, who also enjoyed participating in the singing PIC: PAUL McSHERRY FIND THE FRIENDS OF THE SCO PAGE ON FACEBOOK Thursday 27th December 2012 @ 2.30pm 6W 0LULQ¶V &DWKHGUDO ZLWK FDUROV OHG E\ WKH GLRFHVDQ FKRLU 6SHFLDO FROOHFWLRQ IRU 635(' 3DLVOH\ 'LRFHVDQ <RXWK )XQGV Friday December 21 2012 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER THE SCO SUPPORTS THE YEAR OF FAITH NEWS 3 Archbishop: Asylum seekers Redefining marriage threatens peace receive unhumane treatment ARCHBISHOP Philip comes to an end unsuccessfully, Holy Father highlights danger Scotland faces in his message for the World Day of Peace Tartaglia of Glasgow has they should lose all support in called on the UK Govern- terms of housing and sustenance By Ian Dunn one with their colleagues in England and ment to show compassion to and be expected to return to Wales in upholding marriage as a union men and women seeking what they perceive to be a dan- POPE Benedict XVI has used his New uniquely of a man and a woman for mutual asylum saying the way they gerous situation of persecution, Year’s message to warn of the danger love and support and open to procreation.’ are treated is ‘inhumane.’ or survive on the freezing and to world peace posed by same-sex “The Catholic Church has made its view At a special event at the arch- inhospitable streets, totally ‘marriage,’ as the Scottish Govern- very clear that the redefinition of marriage diocesan offices on Tuesday, the dependent on the compassion of ment prepares to force the redefinition is unwise and unnecessary,” Archbishop archbishop signed a public peti- others to survive,” he said. “I of marriage on this country. Tartaglia stated. “The Church will respond tion against the forced destitu- find it hard to comprehend that The Vatican released the Pope’s message fully to the consultation in due course, but tion of refused asylum seekers in degree of harshness.” for the World Day of Peace on January 1, remains committed to the belief that legis- the city of Glasgow. The archbishop also said he 2013—Blessed are the Peacemakers—last lation to permit same-sex ‘marriage,’ “I am very glad to welcome knew ‘the city council and the Friday, warning that same-sex ‘marriage’ enacted in Edinburgh, Westminster, or any- you here to the offices of the Scottish Parliament have already was a threat to the world’s peace as laws where else is wrong.” Archdiocese today,” the arch- expressed their unhappiness at granting legal status for homosexual unions Archbishop Tartaglia said it is especially bishop said. “In a way, I am the UK Government’s proposals ‘actually harm and help destabilise marriage’ important that ‘employment, equality and sorry that we have to engage in for dealing with refused asylum by obscuring its specific nature as a union education law’ be reviewed. such efforts, because they are seekers’ and he was proud to between man and woman that forms the draft bill to allow same-sex ‘marriage’in Scot- The Scottish Government’s consultation only necessary due to the inhu- ‘add my name to the list of those basis of society and thus destabilises society. land.Archbishop Philip Tartaglia responded on the draft Marriage and Civil Partnership mane situation that is manifest- who share that concern and I “There is also a need to acknowledge by saying the Scottish Government’splans for Bill will run until March 20, 2013. ing itself on our doorstep.” invite others to do the same.’ and promote the natural structure of mar- same-sex ‘marriage’must contain the widest The archbishop said he was The event was organised by riage as the union of a man and a woman in possible protections for religious freedom UK not ‘an expert in the detail of the Stop Destitution campaign, the face of attempts to make it juridically and that the Church will fully participate A total of 58 Members of the Westminster immigration policy’ but rather which was launched in October equivalent to radically different types of in consultations to ensure this. Parliament, from all three main parties, was speaking as a ‘Christian this year by the Scottish Refugee union,” the Pope said. “Such attempts Speaking in response to First Minister have announced their opposition to the leader, representing a Church Council and the Refugee Sur- actually harm and help to destabilise mar- Alex Salmond’s recent announcement of a UK Coalition Government’s plans to insti- which has a noble tradition of vival Trust. riage, obscuring its specific nature and its consultation on a draft bill to allow same-sex tute same-sex ‘marriage.’ care for the most vulnerable.’ The campaign calls for an end indispensable role in society.” couples to marry, the president of the Bish- In a letter to the government, the group “I think most decent minded to the deliberate UK Govern- This truth about human nature, the Pope ops’ Conference of Scotland said the Church said they are ‘united in supporting the people would find it hard to ment policy of making asylum emphasised, is not merely the belief of the views the move as ‘unwise and unnecessary’ institution of marriage defined in law as a believe, let alone support, a pol- seekers destitute by stopping Catholic Church, but is ‘inscribed in human but would participate in the consultation. union between a man and a woman.’They icy which decides that when an their support when their claim is nature itself, accessible to reason and thus Scottish ministers have claimed no part added that they ‘recognise the value of a asylum seeking person’s process refused. common to all humanity.’ of the religious community would be forced loving and committed relationship,’ and to hold same-sex ceremonies in churches ‘respect civil partnership.’ Scotland and that they would work with UK minis- The group of MPs noted that at the time This message has special relevance to Scot- ters to amend equality laws accordingly. of the last general election none of the tish Catholics as the Scottish Government Archbishop Tartaglia, however, said he three main parties included a policy of last week announced a consultation on a and the Scottish hierarchy were ‘entirely at redefining marriage. MancuniaMancunia Paul SCIAF condemns world Weelhouse and the TheThe DirectorDirector andand SStafftaffff CIDSE’s leaders on climate policy Emilie wishwish allall PilgrimsPilgrims Johann at the EveryEvery BlessingBlessing thisthis THE Scottish Catholic Inter- for much of the world’s popula- conference national Aid Fund (SCIAF) tion, especially in developing on Doha CChristmashristmas SSeasoneason has condemned world leaders countries where the lives and for failing to take action on livelihoods of many millions are aandnd HappinessHappiness inin 22013013 climate change. at risk. While some countries This month’s summit in have taken a step in the right DOHA has failed to yield in direction by announcing new the consequences,” he said.