Comment and debate on faith issues in Scotland February 2015 Issue No 246 www.openhousescotland.co.uk £2.50

SCIAF: 50 years of A dignity based approach A Church of England working for justice to development to party with? Editorial Not an optional extra

Fifty years ago in the wake of World War II, economic encouraging them to question the political and growth was seen as one of the most effective ways of economic structures which sustain them. achieving lasting peace. US economist Walt Rostow’s This remains one of SCIAF’s biggest challenges today influential book, The Stages of Economic Growth, in a culture where simple solutions are routinely which attempted to systemise the links between peace offered to complex problems – by politicians under and economic growth, was published in 1960. pressure to choose short term fixes for deep seated International development became a cause for concern. problems; by sections of the news media which offer Cardinal Montini, later Pope Paul VI, travelled to little or no analysis; by spontaneous demonstrations of Latin America in 1960 and to Africa in 1962 where he public concern which are over as soon as they have saw the impact of poverty; as Pope he went to India begun. SCIAF needs our money but it also needs between sessions of the Second Vatican Council and support for its education work and its campaigns on was invited to address the United Nations where he the political and economic changes needed to end pled the cause of the poor. The Council called for an poverty. This is not an optional extra, but, as John end to the ‘immense economic inequalities’ which McKee understood, is central to our Christian divided rich and poor nations. Pope Paul’s commitment. postconciliar encyclical letter On the Development of Peoples urged those blessed with abundance to respond Pope Francis tells us in his message for Lent that this to the cry of hungry nations. time of renewal is a favourable time to show concern Glasgow headteacher John McKee’s response was to for others by small yet concrete signs of our belonging found the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund to one human family. SCIAF has some helpful (SCIAF) in 1965 with Monsignor John Rooney. For 50 suggestions: fill a SCIAF box this Lent; sign and post a years it has been the church’s official aid agency, campaign card on climate change, which is adversely responding to disasters and reaching out with practical affecting poor people in developing countries; think support to some of the poorest people in the world, but about how you can cut your own carbon footprint. also, from the beginning, committed to helping people Perhaps then we could also ask about our parish in Scotland understand the causes of poverty and carbon footprint.

The Pope’s examen

Open House readers will have been delighted by the Then there are five for the parishioners - vanity, scolding given to the Roman Curia by Pope Francis gossiping, sucking up to the better off. Francis has a before he wished them a happy Christmas. This is couple of striking terms - existential schizophrenia for called schadenfreude, taking pleasure in another’s double standards and spiritual Alzheimer’s for discomfort. It is number six in the Pope’s 15 points for forgetting who we are and where we came from. an examination of conscience. The Financial Times has Anyone come across this in their parish? recommended the list for use in the boardroom. They The last five are the means that parents usually could be used in any office in the country. Open House employ to manage their children. When applied in the readers are invited to apply them to their parishes (see church they suggest not the good ideals of family life the complete list on page 12.) but an undue continuation of adult-child roles: Given the structure of the Catholic Church any parish theatrical severity, playing on divisions, showing off, priest could be forgiven for thinking he is accumulating goods and taking pleasure in the indispensable. Nowadays he is bound to be too busy. discomfort of others. If the cap fits let us put it on. He will also have become a paperwork machine and be Might the list offer a parish programme for Lent - an reduced to operating like an automaton. There is examination of conscience before the annual visit to simply no time for collaboration. That covers the first the confessional at Easter? Imagine for once we forgot five of Pope Francis’s points! Who can save their pastor about sex and started off: Bless me Father for I have from such a fate? sinned - I committed schadenfreude 5 times.....

2 OPEN HOUSE February 2015 Contents International development

ALASTAIR DUTTON

Page 3 Fifty years of working for justice Alistair Dutton Fifty years of working Page 5 Towards a dignity based approach to development Newman lecture for justice Page 7 A Church of England to party with? As SCIAF marks its 50th anniversary year the Jennifer Stark charity’s Director reflects on its work to create Page 9 Keep the memory alive a more just world for all. Isabel Smyth Page 10 Lent reflection Thomas Chalmers ‘Creating a more just world for all’ is including the 1968 famine in Biafra Page 11 The rabbits in the room the goal that has driven SCIAF’s (now part of Nigeria, a country Anne McKay work for decades. It continues to currently hit by the atrocities of Boko Page 12 The Pope’s examen inspire everything we do today. With Haram) and drought in Bihar in your support, we’ve given millions of India. In 1970 we were able to send Page 13 Theology and film poor families in developing countries vaccines and medical supplies to help Lynn Jolly a better chance in life and hope for survivors of Cyclone Bhola in Page 15 Receptive Ecumenism the future. While extreme poverty Bangladesh which took the lives of Mary Cullen and injustice continue to be so over 500,000 people. Our work Page 17 Notebook widespread in our world, we’ll carry continued through the decades, on our mission to help the poor and helping those in need overseas Page 18 Letters oppressed. including Vietnamese refugees fleeing Page 19 Living Spirit We owe a huge debt of gratitude to their country from the mid-1970s Page 20 Reviews all those who’ve supported our work and Ethiopians hit by the terrible Books, poetry, film over the years and to our founders, famine in the mid-1980s. Monsignor John Rooney and John We’re still reacting to major Page 24 Moments in time McKee, who started SCIAF in 1965 emergencies like these - the Asian from a small classroom in tsunami of 2004, the Haiti Rutherglen, with just £8,000. earthquake, and the current Syrian Flowing from the Second Vatican refugee crisis, to name only a few, Thank you to all those who Council, our founders’ aim was to protecting lives, restoring livelihoods contributed to this edition of help the world’s poor and inspire Open House. and helping people to reduce the risk Scottish Catholics to respond to the of future disasters. However, a major Open House, which was founded Gospel call for a just world. The in Dundee in 1990, is an and vital part of our work is longer- independent journal of comment words of Pope Paul VI, in his term, helping people in countries like and debate on faith issues in encyclical letter Populorum Zambia, Rwanda and Colombia to Scotland. It is rooted in the reforms Progressio (On the Development of grow enough food to eat and earn of the Second Vatican Council Peoples), acted as a rallying cry: ‘The money for essentials like clothes, (1962-65) and committed to the hungry nations of the world cry out medicines and school fees. dialogue which began at the to the peoples blessed with Each year, we give many thousands Council - within the Catholic abundance. And the Church, cut to of people seeds, farm tools and Church, in other churches, and the quick, asks each of us to hear the training so they can grow more food with all those committed to issues plea and respond lovingly’. of justice and peace. on their land. We help many people start up small businesses. In places www.openhousescotland.co.uk Biafra like South Sudan and Nicaragua Cover photo by Thomas Omondi This inspired our early supporters to people with disabilities are setting up reach out to people in emergencies roadside stalls selling salt and oil so

February 2015 OPEN HOUSE 3 that they can earn a basic income and work their way out of poverty, contribute to the well-being of their bringing hope for the future to their families. In countries like India and family and their neighbourhood or the Democratic Republic of Congo village. we’ve set up self-help groups so From the start of Lent your people can get small loans, buy a donations to our WEE BOX appeal sewing machine or a few goats to will be doubled. The UK government make a living for themselves, and then this year will match every £1 we repay the loan so someone else can receive before the 17th May. This will benefit too. make a huge difference for more Organisation has shown that by giving people like Mary. More than money small-scale women farmers an equal To make this happen however, we all Right from the start, the work of the share of necessities such as good seeds need to help – by giving, but also by Church and its charities has been and training, developing countries making changes in our own lives. The about more than the money and could grow around 30% more food. struggle of people living in poverty in practical help we give those in need. This alone would lift a staggering 150 developing countries is being made We have a hunger for justice and million people out of extreme poverty. even harder by climate change. That’s equality, accompanying the poor on This year’s WEE BOX appeal tells why we’re calling on our supporters to their journey ‘from less human to the story of Mary Jackson, a farmer write to the First Minister Nicola more human conditions’, in the words from the village of Chipolomba in Sturgeon and ask what she’s doing to of Pope Paul VI. Helping someone to Malawi. Mary used to struggle to feed make tackling climate change a support themselves means they can her family but with a little help she’s priority of her Government. And if grow in confidence and live with now able to support herself and we’re to help tackle climate change we dignity. ensure her children can go to school. also need to look at our own use of This passion for justice drives us to She told us: energy. So we’re hoping many of our identify and tackle the root causes of ‘Before, we were very poor. The supporters will reduce their own global poverty. We’ve played a major children had to go to bed on empty carbon footprints by committing to role in movements such as the Jubilee stomachs. It was hard to keep them in walk or cycle instead of jumping in the Debt campaign, Make Poverty History school when they were hungry and car for short journeys, during Lent and Enough Food for Everyone IF. they often missed lessons. and beyond. These campaigns bring together the ‘The project gave us training in new The steps we take this Lent will Catholic community and wider society ways of farming so we could grow continue the journey our founders, to demand change from our more food. I received maize seeds, staff, volunteers and incredible politicians, governments and big sweet potato, peas and peanuts. I was supporters have taken over the last 50 business. They’ve brought about the able to borrow money to set up a years. We can reflect on the lives of cancellation of huge debts owed by small business. Now I can give my those living in poverty like Mary, and developing countries, a massive children proper meals. When their if possible, give a donation so we can increase in international aid, and help shoes wear out, I can replace them. carry on helping those in need. As for poor communities already being We can afford soap for washing. important, we can act to ensure our hit by the effects of climate change. You’ve made real changes in my life governments do the right thing, and Challenging inequality is a key part and in the community’. we are part of the solution, and not of our WEE BOX Lent appeal this There are so many more women like the problem. year. It tells of our work helping Mary who, with the right help, can Only then can we truly travel on women to grow more food and earn the path to realise God’s kingdom an income. Half of the world’s food is on earth, and create a more just currently grown by small-scale From the start of Lent your world for all. farmers, and up to 80% of these are women. Yet their harvests are up to donations to our WEE BOX Alistair Dutton was Humanitarian 30% smaller than those of men, who appeal will be doubled. Director of Caritas International, get better tools, seeds, farm equipment The UK government this year the global confederation of Catholic and training. At the same time, the will match every £1 we receive aid agencies and interim Director of majority of people suffering from the Sphere Project, which sets hunger are women. Research by the before the 17th May. standards for the delivery of United Nations Food and Agriculture humanitarian aid.

4 OPEN HOUSE February 2015 International development (2)

NEWMAN TALK Towards a dignity based approach to development

Duncan MacLaren, a former Executive Director of SCIAF who spent two terms as Secretary General of Caritas International, told the Glasgow Newman Circle how Catholic Social Teaching can make a practical contribution to aid agencies like SCIAF.

The modern use of the word development from a holistic viewpoint, Bank study published in 2000 found ‘development’ is attributed to the takes this further by calling the that religious leaders and institutions inaugural address of President Harry beneficiaries of development projects were often the most trusted institutions Truman in 1949 when he said ‘We ‘doers and judges’, not merely passive in developing countries. They provide must embark on a bold new program recipients of aid. He focusses on an alternative to secular theories of for making the benefits of our scientific people’s capability to function, looking development, taking into account that advances and industrial progress at what a person can do or be, rather most people in developing countries available for the improvement and than what they can have. His concerns find their primary source of meaning in growth of underdeveloped areas’. The include freedom, happiness and religious beliefs. They engage in civil contribution of faith based fulfilment. society advocacy, campaigning on the organisations (FBOs) – those which Duncan highlighted the many ways in structural causes of poverty, like debt derive their inspiration and guidance which FBOs are valued today. They and unjust trade rules. And they from the teachings and principles of provide efficient development services motivate action: their emphases on faith – is today seen as one of the most – at least 25% of people living with compassion and service, unity, justice effective ways of reaching the poorest HIV/AIDS are served by Catholic and reconciliation are seen as powerful people. Once thought of as an obstacle institutions. They reach the poorest – motivating forces for development. by those who saw high consumption churches, temples and mosques are Many people believe that sustainable and the development of a capitalist often the focal points of the development can only be achieved if it economy as the goal of development, communities they serve. They are incorporates cultural values and religion is now valued as a resource valued by the poorest people – a World beliefs. which focuses not merely on economic growth, but on human wellbeing. French Dominican Louis-Joseph Lebret was the expert referred to by Pope Paul VI in his 1967 encyclical letter On the Development of Peoples (Populorum Progressio). Lebret put forward three ethical strategies for development: that people have to have enough to lead a good life, but too much wealth leads to dehumanisation; that people must appreciate the common humanity of the human family; and that the poor become agents of their own development. Amartya Sen, who won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1998 and created the UN’s Human Duncan with Sar Lu Lu, who graduated with a Diploma in Liberal Studies from Development Index, which measures the Australian Catholic University, in Umpiem refugee camp, Thailand.

February 2015 OPEN HOUSE 5 The driving force in the Catholic faith traditions possess. initially refused to rebuild churches, Church’s humanitarian and How does this approach impact on mosques and temples after the development work is often Catholic the work of agencies like SCIAF which devastating 2004 tsunami, despite the Social Teaching (CST). Duncan belong to the international Caritas requests of local people that they do illustrated its principles with an image family of Catholic aid and so. They had missed the point, said of the CST house, developed by Sister humanitarian organisations? Duncan, that many people found in Joan Hart SSND. The house’s In terms of measuring the impact of religious beliefs their primary source of foundation is human dignity and the aid programmes, it can mean that meaning. The research he carried out walls which protect it are human instead of just weighing babies, in Cambodia was solely among rights. The family room calls us to development workers will consider the Buddhists – in Khmer, they call it the community; the dining room has a health of the whole family. Their ‘CST approach’. He taught CST to a place is reserved for the poor, for programmes will be designed to lead Muslim group trying to link their faith whom CST makes a preferential to the flourishing of the whole person. with social projects. And he told the option; the workers’ room upholds At home, education and advertising story of an elderly Muslim woman and respects their rights. Through the material will reflect the dignity of the who asked for a bible after the Bam windows we look out in solidarity person – there will be no graphic earthquake in Iran in 2004 ‘to see with the rest of the world and the lawn images of ‘compassion pornography’ what inspired you people in Caritas to reminds us to care for all creation. showing gaunt and suffering people as love and respect us so much’. CST can resonate with people of all helpless victims. Projects will faiths, and has been described by encourage initiative, be sensitive to 1Doug Gay, Honey from the Lion: Church of Scotland minister and conflict and environmentally sound. Christianity and the ethics of theologian Doug Gay as ‘a profoundly They will contain a reconciliation nationalism. London:SCM 2013 see important resource for all the churches element and contribute to the review in Open House June 2014) that… has a currency within establishment of peaceful, just and contemporary policy debates which far democratic societies. There will be a Duncan MacLaren is an Adjunct outweighs any other example of real partnership between development professor of the Australian Catholic Christian social teaching’.1 It can also, workers and beneficiaries. This, said University, where he lectured on Duncan argued, provide a means of Duncan, is the dignity based approach international development studies and evaluating development practice. to development. ethics. He co-ordinated the university’s On the Thai-Burma border, for His talk was enlivened by examples refugee programme on the Thai- example, where Duncan researched from his extensive experience overseas. Burmese border which offers the use of CST principles as an He was critical of aid agencies, university education to Burmese evaluation tool, he found that including Caritas agencies, which had refugees in camps in Thailand. providing CST training to people of all faiths brought development back to basic human values. In Cambodia, training on the preferential option for THE NEWMAN ASSOCIATION the poor led to a change in tactics by (GLASGOW) Buddhist community-based organisations. They began going to 2014/2015 LECTURE SERIES remote villages and seeking out the poorest people, who were also the Promoting open discussion and greater understanding in today’s Church most shunned. This led to the exercise of common good and solidarity, as the SCOTTISH CATHOLICS IN THE people who were shunned became part AGE OF JOHN OGILVIE of the village and their opinions were A talk by sought. They began to access health care and sent their children to school; Dr. Scott Spurlock their dignity was restored and they Lecturer in Religious Studies, looked forward with hope. People School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow who had not been thought fit for THURSDAY 26th FEBRUARY at 7.30pm leadership were trained, and slowly the whole community changed. Lives Ogilvie Centre were transformed and people were St Aloysius’ Church, Rose Street, GLASGOW G3 6RE empowered using good community Admission: Non-Members: three pounds (includes refreshments) development practices but also using Any enquiries email to: [email protected] tools of transformation which many

6 OPEN HOUSE February 2015 Women in the church

JENNIFER STARK A Church of England to party with?

A campaigner for the ordination of women reflects on the significance of the consecration of the first woman bishop in the Church of England.

There’s often a healing power in a women in the congregation to stand surprise. Presumably Rev. Libby Lane’s and receive the applause and call to mitrehood was known to those affirmation of the congregations for in episcopal and Stockport circles, but their commitment. Great. But this last the bookies and most of us were decision provoked the Guardian’s certainly caught off-guard. Grace editor to write on 25 January, ‘the Sentamu, daughter of the present Church of England has got at least one Archbishop of York, said, around foot in the 21st century; the 1988, ‘Well Dad, if you ask me, the consecration next week of the Rev Church of England has the engine of a Philip North as bishop of Burnley lawnmower and the brakes of a Rev Libby Lane, now Bishop shows that it still has a rump in the juggernaut’. This time, the juggernaut’s of Stockport. fifth.’ Archbishop Sentamu’s statement engine engaged and the news in confirmed that the arrangements were December of Rev. Libby’s appointment who opposed women’s ordination. But his decision; and that he has came as a moment of blessedly rapid that’s changed too. In January 2013, consecrated ‘dissenting’ bishops in the affirmation for all who have wanted 55 Blackburn clergy wrote asking that past. So what’s changed? WATCH this day. the next Bishop of Blackburn should (Women and the Church) note: How profoundly right it was that in be a supporter of women priests: ‘However much dissenters refute this the end, this historic moment involved ‘Many churches across the diocese as a basis for their beliefs, it is very a woman who was not a ‘high flier’ have been enriched by the ministry of hard to overcome the perception that tipped for the post, but from all women and we believe that to fulfil his because the Archbishop has accounts, and in the best sense of the calling as a focus of unity, the next consecrated a female bishop, he is now words, simply was the right person for Bishop of Blackburn should affirm the unacceptable as a consecrator of a that post at the right time. During my ministry of all the priests in the diocese dissenting bishop’. Perhaps when the 20 years living in the North of who hold his licence’. Their wish was next Bishop of Burnley is to be England, the Province of York lagged granted. appointed, the clergy of Burnley will sadly behind the South in terms of That may be a straw in the wind. A follow the example of those of the affirming women’s ministry. Almost all recurring question has been Episcopal ‘Blackburn 55’. of the women being gradually provision not just for those who As I reflected on the past 20 years, a appointed to senior positions of wouldn’t accept a woman bishop, but few things began to come into focus. In leadership were in the Province of for those who wouldn’t accept a male November 2012, my feelings when I Canterbury. A sign of change came at bishop who’d been ordained by a heard about Synod’s rejection of one of the lowest moments for bishop who ordained women….follow women bishops were more of relief supporters of women’s ordination: that?....let alone by a bishop who’d than despair. The shock was a reality shortly after the General Synod’s shock been ordained himself by a woman. check for many, and allowed an rejection of women bishops in The so-called doctrine of ‘taint’ is explosion of anger and dismay which November 2012, York Minister gave suspected again with the decision by in the end, I think, was therapeutic and us a fillip by appointing Rev. Vivienne the Archbishop of York not to lay long overdue. The result was better Faull as Dean. hands on the next suffragan Bishop of legislation. I also saw how many So perhaps it was fitting that this first Burnley, Rev. Philip North (in bishops and senior figures in the consecration took place in York and Blackburn Diocese). Church were almost as devastated as allowed the Northerners a day to John Sentamu is capable of delightful the women. The Church of England party. Rev. Libby Lane served for some imaginative gestures. At Vivienne had begun to ‘own’ its women and years under the Bishop of Blackburn, Faull’s consecration, he invited all the weep with them, rather than keeping

February 2015 OPEN HOUSE 7 them at arms’ length, and expecting celebrated by Rev. Philippa Boardman. legislation to fast-track women bishops them to look after themselves. A At a recent meeting I attended with a into the Lords before the next election. largely unvoiced question has been number of Catholic women, one of And the wider church? Later this year, about the Church of England’s them delightedly brought forward the Women’s Ordination Worldwide will confidence in its own orders and huge photograph of a thousand-odd hold its 3rd conference in Philadelphia, authority. Once the principle was women priests on the steps of St Paul’s, on the theme of ‘Gender, Gospel, conceded in 1992 that women could with one small figure in purple, Global Justice’. There will be Anglicans also be called by God to ordained Archbishop Justin, in their midst. A there, supporting the Roman Catholics ministry and were equally worthy to powerful symbol of collaboration and as they themselves have been have that calling tested, and affirmed, healing. supported. The Tablet’s editorial of the church should have taken There is a greater willingness to 31st January commented, ‘the absence responsibility for affirming their affirm women’s gifts positively, and ask of any Catholic representation at the ministry – and their orders. I believe how we can enable them – and their consecration of the first woman bishop that is now being acknowledged, partly male colleagues – to flourish together, in the Church of England must not because of the relationships and respect with plans to monitor women’s become a habit’. On Vatican Radio, for the women clergy, developed over progress, ask questions about patterns Archbishop Bernard Longley of many years, but also because the of employment and look specifically at Birmingham spoke warmly of Bishop theological incoherence of it all had women’s leadership training. WATCH Libby’s appointment, affirming his become clear in the years of debate, is able, as it has long wished, to give willingness to pray for, and work with drafting and redrafting. time and energy to other areas: it is her, while reminding us that this was The change has been brought into currently planning a conference for lay nothing new – women bishops have focus by some of the actions of the women only in March. been around for some time now. Archbishop of Canterbury. After Finally, and particularly since 2012, Eirenic messages for when a similar November 2012, he invited eight Parliament has grown some teeth. In day dawns here! women to be participant observers 1992, we seriously thought that the within the House of Bishops. Libby women priests legislation might be Jennifer Stark is the coordinator of an Lane was one of them. And in 2014, at derailed in the Commons or Lords. ecumenical outreach project in Leith. as service in St Paul’s to mark the 20th After 2012, Parliament came close to She is a member of Women and the anniversary of the first ordinations, he saying, ‘If you don’t sort this, we will’. Church (WATCH) and Catholic served as deacon at a Eucharist Now, the Commons has initiated Women’s Ordination.

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8 OPEN HOUSE February 2015 Religion and free speech

ISABEL SMYTH Keep the memory alive

January is a sober month for those of This forms a background to the those stupid enough to follow it. This is us engaged in interreligious dialogue. Charlie Hebdo affair. In the same week not to suggest that religion cannot be At the end of it comes Holocaust as 2,000 Nigerians were killed by Boko criticised or challenged – indeed it Memorial Day. This year it marked the Haram and thousands killed in Syria ought to be and those who do so 70th anniversary of the liberation of and Iraq, it was the killing of 12 probably do it a service. And it doesn’t Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 20th members of staff of the satirical journal mean that humour cannot be used in anniversary of the massacre in Charlie Hebdo that caught the doing this. But humour can be used as Srebrenica, Bosnia. Both of these imagination and played to the fears of propaganda as was the case with moments were remembered at Europeans. This was terror come to our anti-Catholic cartoons during the Holocaust Memorial Day events own doorstep. Even the four Jews killed Reformation and anti-Jewish cartoons throughout Scotland, along with other in the kosher supermarket were not during Nazi occupations, all meant to subsequent genocides and the murder given the same publicity. turn the population at large against the The issue that became the focus of of gay people, people with disabilities targeted group and show them as attention was freedom of speech. and the Roma. inferior. Perhaps it’s the intention that Charlie Hebdo’s satirical take on The stories of survivors help us enter makes the difference. So I wonder what religion was lauded and praised, and into the horror of those events. Ela is the intention of the cartoonists at commentators and government leaders Weissberger, who did not even realise Charlie Hebdo when they satirise stood and walked arm in arm to protect she was Jewish before having to wear a religion in general and Islam, especially it – nothing that any terrorist could do yellow star at the age of eight, was sent the Prophet Mohammed, in particular? to Terezin at the age of eleven, and was going to stop freedom of the press and freedom of speech. But there were a We live in a violent and dangerous Hasan Hasanovitch, who lost his number of inconsistencies. The Saudi world. The aftermath of the Charlie father and twin brother in Srebrenica, Arabians made a great show of walking Hebdo affair has been increased shared not only the horrors of their arm in arm with other government anti-terrorist rhetoric, revenge killings, experience but witnessed to the power leaders while they were flogging a alienation of ordinary Muslims by of the human spirit to bring life out of blogger for being critical of their suggesting they need to be instructed in such devastation. government; the French government what good citizenship means. It has, I Each year Holocaust Memorial Day spoke out strongly about freedom of think, widened the gulf between ‘them’ reminds us of the depth of horror that speech but does not allow the French and ‘us’. Holocaust Memorial Day human beings can sink to. The stories flag to be satirised. Freedom of speech reminds us that the world cannot afford of survival, courage and heroism also is obviously not an absolute. to have this happen. It is the first step show us humanity at its best. In an article in the The Herald, towards greater intolerance and The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust journalist Ian McWhirter spoke out in violence. If we are to have peace we was set up to keep alive these favour of freedom of speech while need to understand others and their memories in the hope that atrocities declaring categorically that he was sensitivities, to consider what their such as these might never happen anti-Islam but also anti- Christian, objections might be, and to realise that again. In its publications it has set out anti-Hinduism, anti-Judaism ...indeed sometimes we need to limit our freedom the path to genocide, the deliberate anti-religion. He said this was because of speech for a higher good which is the killing of a group of people simply he was a humanist. For me religion and well-being and safety of all humanity. because they are not ‘us’. The first step humanism are not mutually exclusive is ‘the difference between people is not and I would want to maintain that true Isabel Smyth is a Sister of Notre Dame. respected. There is a division of us and religion is humanist at its best. However She is an Honorary Fellow of Interfaith them. This can be carried out through it does suggest that Ian McWhirter sees Scotland and secretary to the Council the use of stereotypes, or excluding the world in black and white, ‘them’ of Christians and Jews as well as the people who are different’. How often who are religious and ‘us’ who are secretary to the Scottish Bishops’ have I heard, both in the work of humanist and non-religious. He would Committee for Interreligious Dialogue. ant-sectarianism and in discussions suggest that he is against religion as an You can follow Sister Isabel’s blog on about Islamic radicalisation, of the institution, not religious people. But I http://www.interfaithjourneys.net need to break down this them/us wonder if it is not a short step from mentality. disparaging a religion to disparaging (See Letters, page 18)

February 2015 OPEN HOUSE 9 Lent reflection

JOSEPH CHALMERS ‘Follow me’

Another Lent rolls around and what am I will find a welcome because God is The point is made in several ways that going to do this time? What is Lent all gracious and merciful. In the second Lent is about our relationship with God about? We all know that it is the reading, we are exhorted to ‘be but that this relationship must have an preparation for Easter and it is inspired reconciled to God’ (2 Cor. 5, 20). impact on our external activities. Saying by the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert more prayers or getting up extra early to before he began his public ministry and go to Mass before work is wonderful but the 40 years the chosen people spent if we remain angry people around whom wandering in the desert before they were others have to tiptoe, perhaps God ready to enter into the Promised Land. would prefer us to work on our human Easter is the most important of the relationships. Fasting can be very celebrations in the Christian calendar beneficial but if it is done to shed those although in the minds of many people, extra pounds put on over the Christmas the most important feast is probably splurge, it is not necessarily a religious Christmas. The liturgical celebrations of act. Depriving ourselves of some food so the Easter Triduum, the three days which that others might have sufficient begin on Holy Thursday, do not seem to nourishment is a fast which I believe is have the same attraction as the pleasing to God. Giving a beggar ten ‘midnight’ Christmas Mass, at whatever pence might salve my conscience but I time that is celebrated. can hardly count it as my good deed for The liturgies of the Triduum are so rich Lent. Spending a bit of time to talk with and beautiful but they can be obscure. and listen to an individual in need and Some places still refuse to countenance buying the individual a meal or, even women or girls having their feet washed better, making a substantial contribution on Holy Thursday, a refusal which to a charity involved in caring for those offends many people. Of course having in need, are all ways of almsgiving which women or girls play any part at all in might be considered. liturgical functions can be scandalous to Giving spare change to a worthy cause people of a certain persuasion. Perhaps might make us feel good but perhaps we take the possibility of scandal too more is required to change the reasons seriously in several areas of the Church’s why there is a need in the first place. life. The liturgy of the Passion on Good Thinking this way can give us problems Friday is a bit of a mish mash, although of course. Remember the saying of it does seem to be the most attractive in Helder Camara, ‘When I give food to the terms of numbers of all the Triduum poor, they call me a saint. When I ask liturgies. The Easter Vigil is wonderful why the poor have no food, they call me but the vigil readings can be a challenge a communist’. Living our Christian even for the most biblically-minded vocation practically might attract parishioner. criticism. Jesus did not back away from Before we get to the Triduum, we have his mission even when it became obvious to get through the long days of Lent that it would lead him to the cross. He when we are exhorted to give alms, fast invited his followers to follow him, and pray. This is not a competition but taking up their cross on the way. an attempt to respond to God more Remember too that the desolation of the sincerely. In the Gospel reading for Ash cross was not the end. The darkness of Wednesday from Matthew (6, 1-6. Good Friday gave way to the dawn of 16-18), Jesus reminds us that the Easter Sunday. traditional Lenten activities do not Have a good Lent. benefit us before God if they are done to attract the attention of others. We are Joseph Chalmers is a Carmelite priest reminded in the first reading from the with extensive experience of retreats and Prophet Joel: ‘Rend your hearts, not your Central panel of stained glass windows spiritual direction. He is the author of a garments, and return to the LORD, your in the church of St Mary, Mother of number of books on Carmelite God’ (Jl. 2, 13). He assures us that we God, Leslie, Fife, by Lorraine Lamond. spirituality.

10 OPEN HOUSE February 2015 Church teaching

ANN MCKAY The rabbits in the room

A former teacher and marriage advisor reflects on the Catholic Church’s teaching on contraception in the wake of the Pope’s visit to the Philippines.

‘Women’ are back in the news! The that would be no bad thing for a church teaching on this issue. Perhaps obituary for King Abdullah extolled variety of reasons. they ask themselves what a celibate his concessions to the women of Pope Francis’ call for responsible church can truly know about Saudi Arabia (who can vote but parenting is not a departure from the ‘responsible parenthood’. Given the cannot drive) and then there was the church’s traditional stance on the hectic pace of life in an industrial consecration of the first woman prohibition of artificial contraception. society and erratic work patterns for Bishop by the Church of England. Rather it is a boost for natural both partners, how can the rhythms Even the Sun sensationally omitted methods: rhythm, temperature, of nature be accommodated? In the page 3 ‘lovely’ for a whole two Billings or, safest of all, the addition, being a responsible parent days. Closer to home, sense has martyrdom of abstinence during the entails providing one’s child with the prevailed over the scrapping of the fertile period. It would seem that material benefits and opportunities new women’s prison in Inverclyde faithful Filippinos have never heard that help them flourish in the modern with the freeing up of £75 million of these methods, never mind the world. This is not to be confused with some of which will hopefully see its proscribed artificial ones. selfish materialism and ‘the way to providing alternative support Natural methods are effective where contraceptive mentality’ but is a structures for the many shop-lifting, appropriate. Since they require the genuine wish to nurture and enable debt-defaulting, mentally scarred co-operation of both partners, they one’s child to have life in all its souls locked up behind bars. can bring many blessings on a fullness. But it was the newsreader’s reference marriage. I have heard it argued that At a deeper level, couples may to rabbits that had me nearly falling natural family planning is more reason that, if married love is the sign off the sofa. On his visit to the acceptable to poor African women of the sacrament, should abstinence Philippines Pope Francis urged the who live closer to the rhythms of be promoted at all? Moreover, not people of Manila to stop ‘breeding nature without the pressures and being schooled in moral theology, like rabbits’. Not exactly church- wherewithal of their European sisters. they might well wonder how ‘natural’ speak! One couldn’t imagine any of Despite exceptionally poor ante and it is to indulge in an act that cannot his predecessors using such non- post natal care, they frequently naturally come to fruition and where ecclesiastical, derogatory analogies entrust their lives to these methods. I the intention not to become pregnant reminiscent of the scorn heaped upon have also heard it argued that these is the same intention as for those Irish Catholic immigrants of a century are precisely the women who are using artificial methods. The ago. Somewhat belatedly, the Pope is contracting AIDS, unable to protect distinction may be obvious to the urging ‘responsible parenthood’ themselves from husbands working moral theologian but not the Kylie presumably news to the 96 million away in cities and constrained by the and Kevin on the marriage Filippinos who cram the islands. And obligations of their culture. I do not preparation course. don’t even think of insulting anyone’s know if any serious studies have been Taking a paternalistic stance, the mother! conducted on the impact of natural Church acts as a wise parent I don’t want to mix my metaphors family planning methods in the protecting her children from the but it seems to me that the Pope may developing world and such dangers of the flesh a-la-St Paul. have opened up a can of worms. To information would be useful. Women in particular are saved from his credit, he has raised an issue with Regarding the situation in Europe sexploitation and the faithful from repercussions beyond caring for the and the rest of the developed world it sliding into decadence: the thin edge planet and the health of women. After is almost certainly the case that many of the wedge. Artificial contraception years underground, contraception pragmatic – not to say desperate - is not viewed as one of the great could be back on the agenda. And Catholic couples are quietly ignoring advances of the century but a

February 2015 OPEN HOUSE 11 perversion of sexuality even within a stable and The Roman Curia loving relationship. Prohibition embraces both the married and the pub-pick-up. Of course, there is a disparity between the official teaching of the church on this topic and the pastoral approach whereby couples are permitted to exercise The Pope’s examen their consciences in a mature and prayerful manner. One may wonder why there needs to be a disparity in the first place and how many Catholic couples – and The Vatican Information Service issued a news bulletin three those outside the church - are aware of the pastoral days before Christmas 2014 which made news around the approach? The great sadness is that this issue has world. The occasion was the Pope’s annual meeting with the damaged the church’s overall moral authority. Roman Curia to exchange Christmas greetings with Disregard this directive and how many other members of its various dicasteries, councils, offices, tribunals teachings are forfeit? Taken to its logical conclusion, and commissions. But instead of conventional greetings, Confession becomes a redundant practice with a Pope Francis invited all those present to take part in an corresponding decline in receiving Holy Communion. examination of conscience to prepare themselves for ‘Sin’ rears its ugly head and the Body of Christ is Christmas. To help them he named some of the ‘illnesses’ weakened. These are the worms in the can that Pope that members of the curia encounter. This gave the Vatican Francis has perhaps unwittingly opened. Information Service its headline: ‘A Curia that is outdated, It was the impact of the oral contraceptive in 1960 sclerotic or indifferent to others is an ailing body’. that led to Pope John XXIII setting up a small Pope Francis said to the Curia: ‘It is good to think of the Commission to look into the challenge of the pill, a Roman Curia as a small model of the Church, that is, a Commission which was expanded significantly after body that seeks, seriously and on a daily basis, to be more his death by Paul VI. The resulting 1966 Report left alive, healthier, more harmonious and more united in itself the matter in the hands of couples themselves stating and with Christ. that artificial contraception was not ‘intrinsically ‘The Curia is always required to better itself and to grow evil’. However the subsequent publishing of in communion, sanctity and wisdom to fully accomplish its Humanae Vitae, while it said many positive life- mission. However, like any body, it is exposed to sickness, affirming things, was essentially a rejection of the malfunction and infirmity. … I would like to mention some Commission’s proposal owing to the fact that the of these illnesses that we encounter most frequently in our findings were not unanimous and that a minority, life in the Curia. They are illnesses and temptations that dissenting report was also in circulation. Moreover, weaken our service to the Lord’. there was a perceived challenge to the traditional teaching of former popes since the topic arrived on He named 15 temptations: the pastoral agenda some 50 years earlier. Could the Holy Spirit have been wrong all this time? 1. Feeling indispensable. For some Catholics artificial contraception is even linked to abortion because both practices are seen as 2. Complaining about being too busy. life-denying. But there is a world of difference 3. Having excessive paperwork. between preventing the formation of new life and the 4. Going through the motions. killing of already existing life. Catholics should 5. Not collaborating with others. always uphold the sanctity of life but shouldn’t feel 6. Spiritual Alzheimer’s (ignoring the past). alienated for trying to provide a quality of life for 7. Seeking the credit. their children and to live within their means. 8. Existential schizophrenia (being a hypocrite). Pope Francis has recently expressed a wish for 9. Gossiping. women to exercise their unique perspective and that 10. Brown nosing. ‘….greater room can be made for a more capillary 11. Schadenfreude (enjoying another’s misfortune). and incisive presence in the church’ with the not 12. Displaying theatrical severity. unexpected emphasis on the maternal role of Mary. Perhaps the time has come to trust the consensus 13. Accumulating goods. fidelium regarding the regulation of fertility. Too 14. Exercising favouritism. many rabbits and they can all go blind. 15. Showing off.

Anne McKay is a retired Principal Teacher of The full text of Pope Francis’ address is on the Vatican website. Religious Education and was a Marriage Advisor for eight years. See editorial page 2.

12 OPEN HOUSE February 2015 Theology

LYNN JOLLY Theology and Film

The Scottish Churches Theology Society invited two Open House contributors to its annual conference which this year addressed the theme of theology and film. Our arts editor, who took part, reports on the event.

The Scottish Theological Society was sight of the snow dusted borders hills then extended the discussion into the founded by among others the Rev Dr and the lavish amounts of food specific area of ‘movies’, sharing Ian Fraser, contributor and board provided by the hotel at what felt some of his own favourites along the member of this publication and long like hourly intervals. way. serving disciple of ecumenism, justice This ‘mini break for egg heads’ The significant message was that and peace and theological reflection ambience belied, however, a focused cinema has become for many people within the Scottish Christian intention to wrestle with the the closest they have to a religious community. The Society’s original theological implications of the experience and that it is perhaps the intention was to draw together medium of film and the experience of only thing for many more that has academics, pastors, ordained and lay the cinematic, a subject which your the power to deliver moral teaching. in order to engage in theological Open House representatives were The most powerful moment of a reflection around contemporary privileged to introduce on the first lively, insightful and engaging session issues. In earlier days those issues evening of the conference. The name was the showing of a clip from The would have included the Second of Norman Barry struck a chord Counselor during which a drug World War, the social revolution of with most of the audience and after a baron instructs a corrupt lawyer on the 1960s, Thatcherism and the witty and self-deprecating the importance of individual miners’ strike. More recently the introduction by yours truly he took accountability and the moral independence referendum and the the conference on an illuminating demands of free choice. Some in the illegality of certain other wars have journey through some of the less audience may have been surprised to topped the bill. This is a gathering obvious and more incisive examples find themselves reflecting which takes the world and its of film as a theological medium. His theologically on such an encounter, theology seriously though not, talk had been set in the context of still less to be taking lessons in moral delightfully, itself. the wider experience of ‘watching’ conscience from an international and what it does to us, for example The ecumenical flavour among the drug dealer, but such is the subtle through television, box sets, DVDs, upwards of fifty participants resided didactic of good cinema, and such smart phones and IPads. Norman more in its outlook than in the was the provocative energy of the denominational makeup of the opening session. attendees. As we joined the Society After several meals we gathered the early in January for their 2015 next morning to listen to Rev Dr conference in the pleasant Cinema has become for Robin Hill describe in entertaining surroundings of Peebles Hydro and practical fashion how he had set Hotel, we were among a small many people the closest they up a film club in his East Lothian minority who were not Church of have to a religious experience parish and the impact this has had Scotland ministers, either still on congregational life and actively engaged in pastoral ministry and it is perhaps the only community outreach. For those, like or now retired. The group included a thing for many more that me, who imagined this was as simple few lay people and some of the as sticking on a DVD and bringing in partners of said ministers which gave has the power to deliver the emergency chairs this was a the conference an informal and moral teaching. fascinating talk. Robin described the slightly ‘spoken retreat’ feel. This legal requirements with humour and atmosphere was compounded by the clarity, leaving no one in any doubt

February 2015 OPEN HOUSE 13 that to be running a successful film club in a community setting is no mean feat and very worth doing. Interesting too was his sharing of the films which had and had not proved popular, which had engaged discussion and which had simply passed by, and what the telling differences might be. Probably the most touching moment of the three day conference came when, following his talk, Robin showed a short film made by pupils of the high school where he is chaplain. The young people had interviewed some of the oldest members of their community in order to capture their memories of a tragic event which befell their village during World War The Counselor: lessons in moral conscience. II. It was testimony to the simple power of words and pictures and the message was that films can and do speech. It was a saucy mix of film connections of history across ‘show’ us, in a literal sense, how to world insider snapshots, the bruising generations. think theologically, and therefore can realities of making a living in such an The rest of the second day, be vehicles of religious education. industry when you’re not Stephen following lunch and supplementary Dr Jolyon Mitchell of Edinburgh Spielberg, his own creative ideals and pastries, included two talks by Dr University’s theology faculty led us ambitions, and a touching view of Elaine Storkey, a freelance the following morning on his own what the making of film is like behind theologian, former lecturer at Stirling odyssey of spirituality and doctrine in the apparent celebrity glamour and University and sometime contributor film and was, of all the speakers, the multi million pound turnovers. to Radio 4’s Thought for the Day. Dr most direct in dealing with Christian These were the names on the Storkey’s talks both dealt with the doctrine: the Father, Son and Holy billboards for these three enjoyable, many ways in which film addresses Spirit appearing several times during reflective and educational days. his talk. Preaching, teaching and Unlisted on the flyer and programme communication is very much his area were the brief times of corporate and one of the most impressive prayer, led in the reform tradition’s aspects of his session was the ease manner of extemporaneous devotion, Her main message was that with which he manipulated his which began and ended each day. A films can and do ‘show’ us, in presentation to show clips, play prayer, a hymn and a scripture dialogue, move back and forward, reading roused us and sent us to bed, a literal sense, how to think pause, interact with the audience and and set the parentheses around days theologically, and therefore re-engage with his medium: itself a full of stimulation, conversation, lesson in communication and how contemplation, analysis and movie can be vehicles of religious watching and listening can be its very watching. For those of us who have education. own dramatic experience. read theology in an academic context Yet more food preceded the final it was a whole new way of session of the conference which was understanding how the Word can led by Norman MacLaren, an old boy penetrate anything. For those who of Fort Augustus school, he told us, love film, and that was all of us, it the more formal doctrinal categories and now a veteran of the film was a way of seeing the ‘watching’ such as sin, redemption, forgiveness. industry having worked in production experience as a profoundly She demonstrated this through an for many years with some of the big religious one. impressive selection of film clips and names. His session took us away an extensive knowledge of their from the academic and appropriately Lynn Jolly works with people with content and relevance. Her main took the form of an after dinner special needs in the prison system.

14 OPEN HOUSE February 2015 Ecumenism

MARY CULLEN Receptive Ecumenism and Catholic Learning

Last month’s week of prayer for Christian Unity reminded us of the churches’ commitment to the long term goal of unity and the dedication of all those who work for it. Open House’s editor reflects on a new and enriching strategy for approaching the task.

In his long and illuminating and across traditions, so that each church exist outside the visible interview with Antonio Spadaro SJ one becomes more fully what it is boundaries of the Catholic Church: in September, 2013, Pope Francis – more Catholic, more Lutheran, ‘the written Word of God; the life of commented on the effectiveness of more Anglican. It envisages a grace; faith, hope and charity, with the Synod of Bishops set up to advise constant process of deepening and the other interior gifts of the Holy the pope. Perhaps it is time for growth that will open up fresh Spirit’ (Decree on Ecumenism n. 3). change, he suggested, as the current possibilities for overcoming long Pope John Paul II developed the method is ‘not dynamic’. He added: term differences between Christian point in his 1995 encyclical, Ut ‘This will have an ecumenical churches. Unum Sint, when he said: ‘To the value, especially with our Orthodox extent that these elements are found brethren. From them we can learn Wounds and tensions in other Christian communities, the more about the meaning of episcopal Receptive Ecumenism is a reparative one Church of Christ is effectively collegiality and the tradition of process - it attends to the wounds present in them’ (n. 11). The Decree synodality. …In ecumenical relations and tensions in each of our on Ecumenism acknowledged that it is important not only to know traditions. So its core focus is the divisions prevent the Catholic each other better but to recognise way we live out those traditions; the Church from ‘realising in practice what the Spirit has sown in the other organisational, structural and the fullness of catholicity proper to as a gift for us’.1 procedural practices which either her’ (n. 4). It also recognised that The recognition that we can and show forth or contradict the aspects of the church might have should receive gifts from other messages we preach. As Pope Francis come to fuller perfection in other traditions which are lacking in our highlighted, we need to be able to traditions: ‘anything wrought by the own is at the heart of Receptive name what is lacking in our own grace of the Holy Spirit in the hearts Ecumenism, a fresh strategy for tradition and then we can seek help of our separated fellow Christians Christian ecumenism developed by from others’ gifts and insights. Paul can be a help to our own edification Professor Paul Murray, systematic Murray calls this theology as …it can always bring a deeper theologian and Director of the ministry, a healing service within and realisation to the mystery of Christ Centre for Catholic Studies at the for the ecclesial Body of Christ in and the church’ (n. 4). Again, Pope University of Durham. Receptive order to aid its service and witness. John Paul re-stated the point when Ecumenism begins with an emphasis Receptive Ecumenism is situated he referred in Ut Unum Sint to other on how churches can learn from one within the stream of the Second Christian communities as places another and so improve their own Vatican Council’s teaching on where ‘certain features of the Christian understanding and ecumenism. Instead of the Christian mystery have at times been practice. Its primary aim is not the preconciliar approach to ecumenism more effectively emphasised’ (n. 14 promotion of increased which saw it as one way return to and n. 48). understanding between traditions, Rome, the Council’s Decree on The Council’s new understanding but continuing ecclesial conversion Ecumenism acknowledged that was accompanied by an emphasis on within traditions by learning from many aspects of the life of the Catholicism’s own need to learn, to

February 2015 OPEN HOUSE 15 re-imagining the papacy as a service of people felt obliged to attend in the love and unity (n. 95 and 96). past have fallen away in what has The Council’s new The concept of catholicity is central been described as an ‘ecumenical understanding was to Receptive Ecumenism. Paul winter’. It may be time to ask what Murray describes it as ‘the we can learn from one another here accompanied by an emphasis differentiated unity of a communion and now about how to deal with on Catholicism’s own need to that stretches to encompass all of issues like the shortage of clergy or creation in all of its diverse the ecclesial relationship between learn, to be renewed, purified particularity’.2 This is not something clergy and lay. Receptive Ecumenism and even reformed. to be preserved, but lived. It implies offers a promising strategy for an ethic of constant receptivity on doing so. the part of individuals and institutions. At the level of the 1 The full text of the interview can be be renewed, purified and even individual, it could mean always found on the Vatican website. reformed. The Decree on seeking what is true in another’s 2Murray P.D. ‘On Valuing Truth in Ecumenism speaks of ecumenism as position and asking what can be Practice: Rome’s Postmodern ‘a renewal’ and a ‘continual learned from it; at the level of the Challenge’ International Journal of reformation’ (n. 6) and the Dogmatic institutional church it could mean Systematic Theology Vol 8 no 2 holding the field of deliberation open Constitution on the Church, Lumen April 2006: 163-183 p. 179 for discernment and ensuring all Gentium, of the church as always 3Lash N. ‘The Church – a School of relevant voices are heard and taken being in need of purification (n. 8). Wisdom?’ in Murray, P. D. (ed) seriously. Murray suggests that this This is the background to the Receptive Ecumenism and the Call might mean not moving to closure famous passage in Lumen Gentium to Catholic Learning. Oxford: OUP or definition until the time is right, n. 8 where ‘the church of Christ’ is 2010 pp 63-67; p. 66 and allowing firm guidance, even described as ‘subsisting in’ the that of a papal encyclical, to be Catholic Church. The repeated Mary Cullen is working on a returned for further deliberation. It acknowledgement of elements of the doctoral thesis on Receptive would mean transparency and church which are to be found Ecumenism and its contribution to accountability in decision making. outside the Catholic Church renewal in the Catholic Church in indicates that ‘subsists in’ does not Open to learning Scotland. mean exclusive identity. These are the marks of a community Neither, however, does it mean always open to learning. The relinquishing the understanding that theologian Nicholas Lash speaks of there is something distinctive about the church as a school of wisdom: ‘a Focus on women the Catholic Church. The Decree on place in which we endlessly learn to Ecumenism and Lumen Gentium are know God better’.3 Such an ethic Next month’s Open House quite clear that while there may be means that receptive learning and will have a special focus on elements of the church in other growth are intrinsic to people who the contribution of women traditions, something essential is also are Catholic, and in an ecumenical to the life of the church. If missing: ‘they are not blessed with context we can see how the existing you would like to share your that unity which Jesus Christ wished practices of ecumenical engagement views or experience on the to bestow on all those to whom he – the patient bilateral discussions on topic, please send us a letter has given new birth into one body. issues of faith and order and the or write a short piece for …This unity, we believe, subsists in churches’ common witness on issues the Catholic Church as something of justice and peace – can be publication. she can never lose’ (Decree on enriched by receiving aspects of Send to the editor at editor@ Ecumenism n.3 and n.4). Catholicity from others which are openhousescotland.co.uk or But again Pope John Paul opened being performed more clearly than by post to Mary Cullen, 66 the question up further when he within Catholicism itself. sought the help of other churches on All ecumenical engagement Cardross Rd, the way he should exercise his presupposes a willingness to listen Dumbarton G82 4JQ primacy as Bishop of Rome. In Ut with respect to the teachings and by Friday 27th March. Unum Sint he invited church leaders insights of other traditions. Many of and theologians to engage with him in the joint interchurch services which

16 OPEN HOUSE February 2015 Congregation for the Doctrine of the East. The charity works in partnership NOTEBOOK Faith (CDF) in Rome. The CDF based with local Christians who provide its complaint on comments by an health, education and community Radio Alba unnamed source. development programmes to those in The Edinburgh Newman Circle had need – regardless of their faith or Radio Alba, an internet radio initiative hosted a talk by writer and theologian nationality. from the Glasgow Archdiocesan Joe Fitzpatrick in June, based on his You can download the resource from Music Committee, aims to provide an book, The Fall and the Ascent of Man: CTBI’s website: http://www.ctbi.org. outlet for prayer, reflection and faith How Genesis supports Darwin uk/688 generated creativity. (Reviewed in Open House 218). A Since November 2013, Radioalba. month later they received a letter from Pop Up Monastery for org.christian has offered a daily diet of Archbishop Leo Cushley of the musically rich Morning Prayer and Archdiocese of St Andrews and women school Morning Prayer (8 am - 12.00 Edinburgh, saying that the talk had In August this year the first ever Pop in a 30 minute cycle) followed by a been bought to his attention by the Up Monastery will take place at short service for people remembering CDF and that advance publicity Kloster Mariensee near Hanover, in and praying for their dead (12 noon suggested that it had called into Germany. The Pop Up Monastery is a and 6 pm). There are prayers for peace question the traditional doctrine of project of the Ecumenical Forum of and special greetings and reflections Original Sin. The archbishop said it European Christian Women and is for St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, was not acceptable that church dogma open to women of all ages and Easter, St Mungo’s Day, and the Week should be called into question at a denominations/faiths. Funding is of Prayer for Christian Unity from the public meeting on church property. available – please visit their website Glasgow churches. There is music The CDF had also complained about for further information and a short from Noel Donnelly, John Allan, Clare the Edinburgh Newman Circle’s plan film trailer: http://popupmonastery. O’Neill, Carissa and Christine Bovill, to host a lecture by theologian Tina com/ Ann Morgan, the St Mungo Singers, Beattie and the archbishop responded https://www.youtube.com/ Motherwell Cathedral Choir, by banning the talk from taking place Pluscarden Abbey, Dalmally and on church property. (See Open House watch?v=6tjj8Ngudvs ‘music from the archives.’ November 2014). Fifteen schools are involved in In printing a shortened text of Joe Getting to know the WCC Morning Prayers on radioalba, Fitzpatrick’s talk in the current edition The World Council of Churches has including St Monica’s, which has of its national magazine, the Newman been promoting the cause of Christian presented several in Scots dialect, and Association, which has a ‘proud unity since its formation in 1947 and St Mungo’s Academy, which led tradition of educating the laity’, is gone through many changes in Morning Prayer for Catholic inviting its members around the UK to response to developments in the Education Week from 8th February. consider whether Joe Fitzpatrick’s churches and the world. It has In mid-February, for Lent, Radio ‘learned discussion of creation, produced a new brochure describing Alba will introduce daily Night original sin and evolution was really the contemporary organisation, its Prayers at 9 pm, preceded by Stations worthy of an offensive from the membership and programmes. A copy of the Cross and a 30 minute Vatican’. They point out that if of the brochure can be downloaded magazine programme introduced members have views, the CDF from the WCC’s website: http://www. initially by writers from Open House provides an email address at cdf@ oikoumene.org/en/about-us with a selection of material from the faith.va. Confidentiality is assured. magazine. (See Letters page 18). Radioalba.org. christian can be Thank you accessed directly on the internet or Lent resources from Thank you to all who support Open through Glasgowchurchestogether.org, House in its efforts to promote the Archdiocese of Glasgow website, Churches Together comment and debate on faith issues in or stmungomusic.org.uk. A new Lenten Resource for ecumenical Scotland whether it is by buying a If you have a contribution to make, groups, church groups and individuals copy, taking out a subscription, taking you are invited to get in touch through offers reflection on Lenten themes and out a subscription for a friend, or the website. joins in prayer with Christians of the sharing your thoughts though letters Middle East. or articles. Please keep them coming. It has been written by Churches Open House is produced entirely by Newman talk reprinted Together in Britain and Ireland in volunteers, with subscriptions and The Newman Association’s national partnership with the sales paying for design, print and journal, The Newman, has printed a interdenominational charity Embrace postage. And if you want to encourage shortened version of a talk given in the Middle East, which is working to people to find out what we are all Edinburgh last summer which was the improve the lives of vulnerable and about, don’t forget our website at subject of a complaint from the disadvantaged people in the Middle www.openhousescotland.co.uk

February 2015 OPEN HOUSE 17 LETTERS The Editor of Open House email : [email protected] All correspondence, including email, must give full postal address and telephone number.

Communication Je ne suis pas Charlie Thomas Merton failure? Why would five million ‘Francais- Though Willie Slavin’s article was Musulmain d’Algerie’ (as the The November edition of Open for me authoritative, he slipped up allegedly secular French Government House included a report on the slightly on what might be called his designated them in 1947) resent banning of the theologian Tina geographico-linguistic analysis. being made to look like proper Prades-de-Conflent where Merton Beattie by Archbishop Leo Cushley Charlies? was born is indeed, pending major following a talk given to the Allow me to recommend the 1966 changes to French regional Edinburgh Newman Circle by Joe La Battaglia de Algeri (The Battle of boundaries already announced, in Fitzpatrick, and a complaint from Algiers), a film that is often highly the Languedoc-Roussillon Region, the CDF (Congregation for the placed among the most influential of but it is specifically in the southern Doctrine of the Faith). This matter all time. It tells how the French Roussillon part rather than northern has still not been resolved and the Army, defeated in Vietnam in 1954, Languedoc. Which means of course Archbishop seems to be very was determined not to lose to Algerian peasants. It claims that the that Merton was Catalan. reluctant to enter into any French, through agents His first clear acknowledgement of discussion. provocateurs, invented terrorist this came in a letter in late 1958 to It is this very failure to bombings. One of the key scenes is an editor in Barcelona who communicate which has led to the of a Muslim being beheaded - the requested permission to publish the present unsatisfactory situation. Had French did not abandon Mme Seven Story Mountain in Catalan in the Archbishop made contact with Guillotine until 1987. As they say return for ‘symbolic payment only’. the parties concerned when he heard themselves plus ca change, c’est plus In his enthusiastic reply in Castilian from the CDF, and before issuing the la meme chose. Spanish, Merton reflected on his ban, any misunderstandings could N Barry birth location saying: have been resolved. Neither ‘You should know that I can theologian received a reply to their Mary Slessor consider myself in a certain sense to letters until after the matter was I was very interested to read John be Catalan, since I was born in the reported in The Tablet. Since then Miller’s article on Mary Slessor part of France which is still referred the Archbishop has reverted to his (Open House January 2015), given to as “catalane.”’ original silence. Further that I knew very little about her He goes on to assert that it is for correspondence to the Archbishop beforehand. I recall an Irish him ‘a moral duty’ to give from the National Newman missionary priest visiting our parish permission for a Catalan edition, Association, the local Edinburgh some years ago. He had spent a though whether this duty arises from Circle, and my parish Justice and number of years working in Nigeria his status as a Catalan, as a priest, as Peace group has been completely and admitted that he had known a monk, or from some permutation ignored. We still do not know who little of the Scottish missionary, of all three is not clear. Mary Slessor, prior to going there. made the complaint, nor the precise In fact crude Francoist repression However, what he learned of her nature of the complaint, and we under which Spaniards in general character and achievement as a have seen no evidence to support and the Catalan language in missionary convinced him that, had any complaint. she been a Catholic, she would have particular laboured then was such Pope Francis calls for transparency been declared a saint. She was that it took fully five years, even for and dialogue in the church. Neither obviously imbued with the joy of the a book like this with an overt is apparent in this case. gospel and able to communicate this religious theme, to see the light of The ban remains. to the native people. day. Anne Havard, Edinburgh Michael Martin, Glasgow Jim Scott, Valls (Tarragona), Spain

18 OPEN HOUSE February 2015 In his book, Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton wrote ‘the biggest paradox about the church LIVING SPIRIT is that she is at the same time essentially traditional and essentially revolutionary. But that is not so much When we read the gospel as written my Mark, we read a gospel which of a paradox as it seems, because Christian tradition, seems to be written for people who are unlike all others, is a living and perpetual revolution. living less under the mystery of the For the living Tradition of Catholicism is like the resurrection and more under the breath of a living body. It renews life by repelling mystery of the cross. So the weakness stagnation, it is a constant quiet peaceful revolution and obstacles that human nature place in the way of against death. As the physical act of breathing keeps discipleship are more apparent but so is the forgiveness the spiritual soul united to a material body whose of Christ in the face of the failures of his disciples. They very matter tends always to corrupt and decay, so are caught up in the human struggle for power and Catholic Tradition keeps the church alive under the influence thinking that through these things we can gain material and social and human elements which will the peace promised by God. We can read Mark’s gospel be encrusted upon it as long as it is in the world’. learning, as their stubbornness unfolds and Christ By the power of the Holy Spirit, our church was teaching develops, that power and influence is not the able to take a deep breath at Vatican II. way that God has planned for his kingdom to be Unfortunately the respiratory cycle was not revealed and it certainly does not consist in wielding the completed and the accumulated stagnation was not power of human empires. removed. This has left the ‘body’ confused, frustrated and apathetic. If our church is to be in a fit state to … what Mark’s portrayal of the disciples teaches us is that our journey through life as disciples of Christ is attempt the necessary ‘New Evangelisation’ then exactly that: a journey. And Christ is the teacher and some shedding of stagnation will be required. like any good teacher he is patient and continually This process will need new structures and systems. draws us on to grow in fidelity to him. We too must More importantly new attitudes. Fortunately the learn to be patient with ourselves and not despair at our required structures have already been set out for us. failings but trust in God whose goodness is more than A recent document, Sensus Fidei in the life of the we can know. church, calls for these structures to be operational, and quotes documents which have called for these Rhythm of the seasons: Liturgical Diary 2015. Pauline changes in the past. Sensus Fidei even points out that Books & Media, Slough. Liturgical Notes written by in 1950 Pope Pius XII wrote that ‘Something would Gerard Conroy. be lacking in (our church’s) life is she had no public opinion. Both pastors of souls and lay people would The Kingdom be to blame for this’. It’s a long way off but inside it This reminds me of an item which appeared in the there are quite different things going on: Catholic press some years ago. It was a quote from a Festivals at which the poor man speech made by the famous American Archbishop, is king and the consumptive is Fulton Sheen, in 1972. He said: ‘Who is going to save healed: mirrors in which the blind look our church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious, it is up to you the people. You have the at themselves and love looks at them minds, the eyes, the ears to save our church’. back; and industry is for mending the bent bones and the minds fractured J V Isaacs, Inverness by life. It’s a long way off, but to get there takes no time and admission Do you have a comment to make on any of is free, if you will purge yourself the issues raised in this or any other edition of desire, and present yourself with of Open House? your need only and the simple offering Send a letter to the editor by Friday of your faith, green as a leaf. 26th February for the March edition. R.S.Thomas, Collected Poems 1945-1990. London: [email protected] or by post to Mary Cullen, 66 Cardross Road, Phoenix, 1996 Dumbarton G82 4JQ The Gospel of Mark features in the current Lectionary Cycle B

February 2015 OPEN HOUSE 19 begins with Tolstoy’s story The Netherlands, has more to do with BOOKS Death of Ivan Illyich where easing the burden of relatives than everyone, to the irritation of the the suffering of patients. The aim of Being Mortal: Illness, patient, tries to pretend he is not medicine is the good life. A good Medicine and What Matters dying. Modern medicine can usually, death needs a lot more. For those though not always (at least yet), who have visited an ‘old folks’ home in the End prevent people from dying where the regime has been reduced prematurely but it cannot prevent to feeding and toileting, this book Atul Gawande them from dying. Yet in the cannot be too highly recommended. Profile Books 2014. £14.99. developed world, and increasingly elsewhere, this is what enormous Willy Slavin Atul Gawande was medical resources are committed to. the BBC Reith Gawande calls this hubris, Lecturer for 2014: unjustified confidence. Only 50 years Where Memories Go his subject The ago most people died in their own Sally Magnusson. Future of bed. Now nearly all die in Two Roads, 2014. Medicine. Born in institutions. Most surgery takes the USA of Indian place in the last week, even the last parents who were day, of a person’s life. Sally Magnusson is both doctors, he Gawande’s message is that there are best known to most interrupted his own medical studies things medicine cannot do and of us as a to work on Bill Clinton’s 1992 which it is barbaric to attempt. newsreader and election campaign. This gave him an There comes a time to stand aside television presenter interest in public health issues. He and hand over to palliative care. He and as the daughter returned to medical school to qualify is a supporter of hospices and works of the late, great as a surgeon and also became a with those developing and managing Magnus. Less well writer with the New Yorker. This is models of assisted living. He believes known is the fact his fourth book and is the basis of there is evidence you can live longer, that she is also the the Reith Lectures. and certainly live better, when your daughter of the equally remarkable He began the Lectures with a quote sole aim is not just to prolong life. Mamie Baird Magnusson: journalist, from Alisdair MacIntyre about the Doctors used to be gods who told musician, and mother of five, who in intrinsic fallibility of human patients what is good for them. Then her later years developed dementia. reasoning and applies this to the they became businessmen offering a Sally writes here not as a practice of modern medicine where range of pharmaceutical choices. professional broadcaster or the it is sometimes assumed that Gawande wants them to listen. offspring of a famous father but very everything is or one day will be Patients have their own priorities. much as her mother’s daughter. This ‘fixable’. The control of infection by Staying alive at all costs, moral and is the story of a whole family’s journey and as such it is more than those responsible for public health, financial, may not be the most just an account of dementia, or particularly the provision of clean important. health care provision, or the decline water, has allowed many already to The third Reith Lecture was held in of an elderly parent. Though it is all fulfil the ‘three score year and ten Edinburgh. The chair, Sue Lawley, in of these, it is primarily a story of years (and eighty if we are strong)’ true BBC fashion, tried to give voice love. promised by Psalm 89/90. For others to the conventional wisdom about Throughout the book Sally charts there is still much that medicine can turning doctors into agents of the family’s realisation, stage by do to promote the ideal of ‘healthy assisted dying. Although not against stage, that the once vital, quick, ageing’. current medical practice of risking witty and articulate Mamie is losing What concerns Gawande is that an overdose where pain appears those easily recognised and this can detach us from the reality of otherwise unmanageable, Gawande identifiable traits. Her ability to has reservations about doctors being mortal. He uses a range of locate herself and others in the most case histories which include the getting into the business of death. familiar and intimate of contexts, medical interventions that saved his He suspects the increase in medically the family circle, becomes more and child but failed to save his father. He assisted dying, for example in the

20 OPEN HOUSE February 2015 more evident. The usual way in and storytelling makes it both the story of the place music held in which mothers get their children’s instructive and strangely (given the Mamie’s life and of how it, almost names confused slowly begins to subject matter) enjoyable. Its the last thing to leave her, continued appear as something else, something principle feature however is that it to provide stimulation and more alarming, and the consequent connects with the increasingly connection long after language and distress to both Mamie and those common experience of many rational abilities had gone. It was closest to her is described with families. Yes, the Magnusson clan this experience that inspired Sally to heartbreaking realism. Her once have a name, profile and resources set up a charity following her beloved twin sister becomes a that by no means all families share, mother’s death which would support stranger, unaccountably the and Sally acknowledges this freely. the bringing of music as a persistent object of Mamie’s Yet it is all the more telling when therapeutic intervention into the frustration, and the consequent they too, professional wordsmiths, lives of those with dementia. The helplessness felt by everyone is confident, articulate and well- resulting ‘Playlist for Life’ has taken painfully described. But this is also a educated, find that the health and off in a big way. Sally’s inspiration real family tale and the humour, social care labyrinth is the same has inspired us to be the first Carers’ centre to work with the project. Our sometimes dark, with which real frustrating nightmare that leaves staff are being trained in how to families negotiate sadness and loss is many poorer families behind. Sally enable carers to use music to re- also evident. Mamie’s fury when her makes the point well: for all their engage with those they are looking surviving son, a man in his fifties, difficulties, they were fortunate to after and in turn to help them comes home and sleeps in the room have such resources at hand. Not re-engage with the world. We are that was his brother’s, tragically everyone does, and the inequalities pleased and proud to be developing killed in childhood, is told with a compound the distress. this service with them and glad to lightness that both belies and I read this book with professional help Mamie’s legacy reach many, conveys the old and new griefs being as well as personal interest. As a many more. experienced by everyone. Similarly, trained nurse with experience and Sally’s account of spending a night in background in dementia care, and Kim McNab a hotel room with her disoriented now manager of a Carers If you live in the West mother is hilarious while leaving us organisation, I found Sally’s account Dunbartonshire area and are with poignant insights into a both moving and fascinating, but interested in ‘Playlist for Life’ (www. daughter’s loss. like her I was disinclined to leave it playlistforlife.org.uk) you can This is a profoundly well written as just an interesting read. One of contact Kim at kim.mcnab@ book. The author’s gift for language the purposes of the book was to tell carerswd.org

out the company of women with POETRY some energy and married twice, though not, at least in the first 50th anniversary of the instance, very happily. A buttoned death of TS Eliot up Anglican school teacher for much of his life, he wrote most of what is This year marks the anniversary of a credited with defining modernism in number of things. Among them is English poetry. the death of the poet T S Eliot. Like Like his contemporary and many poets, though by no means all, sometime antagonist, Ezra Pound, he acceptance of an artist’s work. It’s a he was something of a contradictory attracted controversy with many of recurring question. Many people will bundle. Born in Massachusetts, USA his views, being accused at various not read Norman Mailer or Ernest in 1888 to the kind of old Yankee times of misogyny, anti-semitism and Hemingway because of their stock that tended to breed a kind of eclectic, random snobbery. perceived attitudes towards women. superiority, he chose, at the age of He raised the question in the minds Some will confuse the noble ideals of 26, to renounce his American of some as to whether the fact of not artists such as Maya Angelou with passport and become a British having a very nice personality should the quality of their work. It’s citizen. A natural solitary, he sought have any bearing at all on the nonsense of course. A person can

February 2015 OPEN HOUSE 21 write or paint or sing or they can’t. Of his own poems Eliot liked the unpleasant or even offensive he is no Judgements about how good they later ones best. These followed his more or less than most of us and we are at what they do will differ but conversion to Christianity and his are in the season to reflect on those talent stands apart from virtue. joining the Church of England. selves too. Talent stands apart from Eliot’s talent has never been in Edwin Muir called his poem ‘Ash virtue but faith is surely a gift to doubt, except for early criticisms by Wednesday’ his ‘most perfect’. His those who feel their limitations. Pound who found him ‘light’ in their writing at this time in his life had Only a tormented depressive who early days but came round lost some of the sarcasm and dryness deeply understood his own and the eventually. He is known principally of his earlier work and we like to need for their redemption could for those few lines that have become think that, with religious belief write: absorbed into popular poetic occupying more and more of his ‘The dripping blood our only awareness: ‘in my end is beginning’, thoughts, so had he. Certainly it’s drink/ The bloody flesh our only describing his eventual burial site at hard to think of the crusty old stick food:/ In spite of which we like to East Coker in the poem of the same that became his popular persona think/ That we are sound, name, one of his famous Four writing this: substantial flesh and blood-/ Again, Quartets, for which he won the ‘And even among these rocks/ in spite of that, we call this Friday Nobel Prize in literature. Everyone Sister, mother/ And spirit of the good.’ has heard of Old Possum’s Book of river, spirit of the sea/ Suffer me not He was no picnic, but as this year Practical Cats and some of us were to be separated/ And let my cry also reminds us of the liberation of slowly tortured in our later school come unto Thee.’ Auschwitz and the agony of its years by the indifferent teaching of As we enter Lent it is possibly survivors; and as Lent invites us to ‘The Waste Land’ and, most fitting to be reminded of an artist set some limitations on our selves, memorably, ‘The Love Song of J who was less great than his writing, his words are at least as good as any. Alfred Prufrock’ with its tragic, whose human failings dogged him usually misquoted line, ‘I have and who, though admired and even Lynn Jolly measured out my life with coffee loved, was also castigated for being spoons’. himself. If that self was at times

roll. She divorced her husband, FILM lost a baby and fell out with her only sibling. Then, instead of Wild (2014) going to the doctor (which, since Directed by: Jean-Marc Vallée. she was American, would have Written by: Nick Hornby, Cheryl been expensive), she took up Strayed. walking. She trekked over 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail Starring: Reese Witherspoon, (PCT) which follows the ridge of Laura Dern, Gaby Hoffmann. the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades between Mexico and Canada, about 100 miles inland The mandate of the NHS has from the Pacific. This enabled her, become ‘a pill for every ill’. After the death of a close relative the advice she wrote in Wild: from lost to is: ‘go to the doctor and get found on the PCT, to become something’. The favoured treatment ‘the woman my mother wanted for those using illegal drugs is to me to be’. prescribe legal drugs like Reese Witherspoon has now methadone. The pharmaceutical made a film of the book which companies are researching a pill to was a no. 1 best seller in the States. Witherspoon has had an control the appetite of the obese. is that the greatest fear a single Cheryl Strayed lost her mother to Oscar as Johnny Cash’s moll in white woman walking in the cancer at 45. Her mother was the Walk the Line and is now love of her life. In the aftermath she nominated for another in Wild. wilderness has to face is herself. The took to drugs and sex and rock ‘n’ Amongst other things the film shows PCT has already recorded an

22 OPEN HOUSE February 2015 doing any exercise, as previously they were encouraged to ask about their intake of nicotine and alcohol. The average Scot lives in a carcinogenic environment and eats toxic amounts of processed food while indulging in a mostly sedentary lifestyle. Patients turning up at a health centre should be told first of all to go for a walk in the park - five times a day for a week. Only if they come back and say it hasn’t made any difference should Reese Witherspoon (left) and the real life Cheryl Strayed, on whose memoirs they be offered a pill for their ill. But the film is based. they should still watch this movie. increase in walkers which it among the motives of the walkers. Norman Barry attributes to the film. Witherspoon By comparison Wild is American makes a convincing first time walker. and brash. Cheryl/Reese is very She also produced the film having, much on her own. When she joins Reviewers she said, fallen in love with the her hands in prayer she says it is to book. all of nature. One warning in the Norman Barry is the pen name of the long time film reviewer for Bildungsroman are stories like that review of The Way should be Open House. of Odysseus where the main repeated here: don’t leave the character experiences a conversion. cinema thinking you can start with a Lynn Jolly works with people with ‘Road movies’ are the Hollywood 1,000 mile hike. Unless, perhaps like special needs in the prison system equivalent - think Thelma and the heroine, you want to do and is arts editor of Open House. Louise. Recently Martin Sheen penance. Kim McNab is manager of Carers produced and acted in The Way, an Most spirituality is very physical of West Dunbartonshire, a account of being a first time walker whether it is monastic or Zen. All charitable organisation which on the Camino to Santiago de religions wander through the desert, supports unpaid Carers. Compostella (Open House 212). go on pilgrimage, make Haj or walk Willy Slavin is a retired parish The Way was aware of the Christian to the Ganges. The NHS needs to priest of the Archdiocese of roots of the walk and included catch up. Recently GPs have been Glasgow. various versions of spirituality told to enquire if their patients are

February 2015 OPEN HOUSE 23 Moments in time OPEN HOUSE

We leave the road, which keeps to the higher ground Board members: station at and led to Stirling and beyond; many Florence Boyle (Treasurer); Larbert in travellers and armies will have used Ian Fraser; Elizabeth Kearney; Stirlingshire and this route over the centuries. We make Jim McManus (Chair); make our way a small detour to inspect the castle Jennifer Stark; Michael Turnbull. through an area which dates from the sixteenth century. of new housing. Now we find a narrow path through a Editorial advisory group: After the recent dense pine wood, which leads to an Linden Bicket; Honor Hania; Lynn heavy rain, the sun has made an open area and a large mound, covered Jolly; Willy Slavin. appearance and it is quite mild. Soon in grass and bracken. We climb to the we reach the open countryside and a Editor: Mary Cullen top and there below is the amazing quiet road which finishes at a [email protected] sight of the remains of Tappoch Broch. footbridge over the motorway, which Arts editor: Lynn Jolly This was built by the native inhabitants leads to the Kincardine Bridge. Now [email protected] we walk along a tree-lined track across about 2,000 years ago, around the a quiet stretch of countryside with time of the brief Roman invasion. The Open House is published ten times fields and hedgerows; the only modern broch was about 30 feet in diameter a year. We welcome letters and intrusion is a small wind-farm in a with double circular walls of stone. contributions, which should be neighbouring field with five turbines, Some ten feet of wall remain, including sent to the editor by the last but despite the wind only one is part of the original staircase and the Friday of the month before turning today. narrow entrance. publication. Articles should be no As we gain height, a view unfolds to Most brochs are in the far north and more than 1200 words long, and the west where we see the modern west of Scotland and we had no idea reviews no more than 800 words. buildings of Cumbernauld that such a well preserved structure Letters and articles may be edited or surmounting a distant ridge and in the existed here. Although we are near to held over for future editions. valley below the small town of Denny. Stirling and Larbet, this is an We turn right along the side of a wood, unfrequented area and few people The opinions and ideas expressed mostly planted with conifers apart know it is here. We climb down the by all our contributors are their from a line of stately beech trees. We steps to the floor of the broch and own and not accepted as those of hear the raucous call of a jay from the stoop under the lintel at the entrance Open House. depths of the wood. We are heading way before continuing our way north and look out over the plain through the wood, entranced by our All correspondence about the bordering the Forth; beyond Larbet we encounter with the ancient fortress. content of Open House to the editor: see the dramatic industrial landscape Mary Cullen, 66 Cardross Rd, of Grangemouth. Much nearer, across Tim Rhead the fields, the substantial ruin of Dumbarton G82 4JQ Torwood Castle dominates the scene. Tim Rhead is a pastoral assistant in tel: 07909 594797 We cross the line of an old Roman the Episcopal Church. www.openhousescotland.co.uk SUBSCRIBE!

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24 OPEN HOUSE February 2015