April 2014 Issue No 237£2.50 www.openhousescotland.co.uk

Whatever happened Reshaping the The church and to ecumenism? the referendum Editorial The silence of the women

We are used to hearing all those stories about the first anyone. If that is the case, what can he have meant? Easter morning, about the women going to the tomb and Perhaps he intended to show that despite our fear and being told that Jesus was not there but had been raised reticence, the Good News is the work of God and cannot from the dead. It is impossible to make all the stories agree be supressed. Death does not have the last word no matter exactly. They come from different Christian communities how dark things may get. which were all grappling with different problems but they The state of the Church can be depressing. How has the were all united in one common faith, although expressed Church survived the ups and downs of history as well as differently. St. Paul sums this faith up when he reminds his the many self-inflicted wounds? We, like the women Corinthian converts of what he had preached to them: outside the empty tomb, may be too afraid to speak out “For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also and we may run away from our task but the Good News received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with will not be kept buried in a dark tomb. The crucified Jesus the Scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on was no longer in the tomb but had been raised from the the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. dead. He is God’s guarantee that love is stronger than 15, 3-4). hatred and life is stronger than death. All the scandals that Each of the Gospels has a different approach to the same have rocked the Church are not sufficient to prevent this story. The strangest of all seems to be that of Mark. Good News from triumphing. Biblical scholars tell us that Mark‘s Gospel actually ends It is helpful from time to time to remind ourselves of just with the women being given the news of the resurrection, what God has done for us. The Exsultet, sung at the Easter being shown the empty tomb, being given the command to Vigil, is an out breaking of joy for the triumph of God tell the other disciples to go to Galilee in order to meet the over darkness: Risen Jesus but then they ran away and said nothing to anyone because they were afraid! Of course Mark’s Gospel This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of has the usual stories also about the appearances of Jesus death and rose triumphant from the grave. after the resurrection but the experts tell us that these were What good would life have been to us, had Christ not added later. come as our Redeemer? There are various theories about the silence and fear of Father, how wonderful your care for us! the women. Some people say that the ending of the Gospel How boundless your merciful love! was lost and the stories we have were added to fill the gap To ransom a slave you gave away your Son. but others say that Mark actually intended to end his O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for Gospel with the women too afraid to say anything to us so great a redeemer. The voices of women

The church needs to hear the voices of women at all levels. that he seemed to miss the point – the anger directed at the News that four women have been named by Pope Francis church was not caused by the fact that it had abusers as members of the new Pontifical Commission for the within its ranks, but that people in authority were willing Protection of Minors has been widely welcomed. In to protect them. particular, the appointment of the Irish survivor of clerical Ms Collins’ appointment, together with those of the other abuse, Marie Collins, has caused much comment. Ms women, seems so appropriate that it raises the question of Collins, who campaigns for support for survivors of abuse, why it has taken so long. In an institution characterised by was sexually abused by a chaplain when she was a secrecy, the independence and professionalism of all four 13-year-old in a Dublin hospital. She is reported to have women, who include British psychiatrist Baroness Hollins, said that one of her priorities for the new commission is a former Prime Minister of Poland Hanna Suchocka and sea change in the response of the church to abuse survivors French child psychologist Catherine Bonnet, promise a and their families. She told Catholic News Service that wider perspective and a welcome transparency. many survivors will be watching the Vatican commission Ms Collins told CNS that she had remained a Catholic, with interest and looking for evidence of real change. but not without difficulty. She had tried to separate the Ms Collins has said she hopes the commission can change institution of the church from the faith. There had been Pope Francis’ mind on his remarks that no one had done times when practising her faith has been impossible, but more on the issue of child sexual abuse than the church, her belief in God had never wavered. Being appointed to yet the church is the only one to be attacked. She told CNS the commission has not changed anything in this regard.

2 OPEN HOUSE April 2014 Contents Feeding the hungry

WILLY SLAVIN

Page 3 Mary’s Meals Willy Slavin Mary’s Meals Page 5 Whatever happened to ecumenism? Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder and Chief John Miller Executive of Mary’s Meals, was interviewed about Lent Page 9 Reshaping the Church by Fr Willy Slavin. Willy spent five years in Bangladesh. Willy Slavin Page 10 Galloway Diocese William McFadden WS: What does Lent mean to you mostly for children who had been Page 11 Opportunities Missed personally? abandoned. Eventually that became Pat Baird Scottish International Relief (SIR) MM: It’s an opportunity to think which spread beyond Bosnia. Page 12 Easter reflection afresh about God and neighbour. It’s Dalmally is still my home and a chance to show more solidarity Theodora Hawksley Scotland is a very special place for with the poor through almsgiving Page 13 Independence referendum me. Through receiving donations I and prayer. I normally try to do have come to know a Scotland that Newman debate things and then fail – but I suppose really I hadn’t known before. Page 14 ACTS conference that is good for humility. Lent can help me physically and most WS: Does the use of Mary’s name Stephen Smyth importantly allows me more space raise questions? Page 15 Comment for God. MM: Yes, of course. Some people Eilidh Whiteford WS: Do you think the Church could presume it’s my mum’s! I love to have the chance to speak about the Page 16 Notebook make more of Lent? mother of Jesus. In non- Page 17 Letters and Living Spirit MM: I certainly think fasting was denominational schools I can tell something that was more practiced them Mary was a woman who had Page 18 Reviews: books, film, in the church in the past and we to bring up a child in poverty. She music seem to have lost that. Fasting seems was a refugee. This makes the story Page 24 Moments in time to be practised more in some real for them. It’s also a great Orthodox countries I’ve been to. advantage with Muslims who of Thank you to all those who contributed And we know that the Muslim course respect her greatly as Miryam. to this edition of Open House. Ramadan is now very much Open House, which was founded in respected. Many Muslims as well as WS: You have deliberately linked Dundee in 1990, is an independent fasting at that time also give to the your feeding programme with journal of comment and debate on faith poor. I think we all need to spend less education? issues in Scotland. It is rooted in the on ourselves. Lent is the time to MM: The origin of the change from reforms of the decide what we should spend on SIR to Mary’s Meals was when we (1962-65) and committed to the others. dialogue which began at the Council - were told of famine in Malawi which has a special link with Scotland within the Catholic Church, in other WS: Is it important for you that because of David Livingstone. I churches, and with all those committed Mary’s Meals is Scottish? to issues of justice and peace. visited a family where the parents www.openhousescotland.co.uk MM: You need to know that Mary’s were affected by HIV. Yet one of the Meals wasn’t something I planned. It Cover: Stained glass window in the boys at 14 still had the hope he church of St Mary, Mother of God, came out of our experience at Craig would be able to go to school. That Leslie, by Lorraine Lamond. Contact Lodge House of Prayer in Dalmally. had an enormous impact on me. We Lorraine on 07792 465889 or email That was a result of us visiting can all remember how important [email protected] Medjugorge. Bosnia was part of the school meals have been for us. You Photo by Dominic Cullen. Balkan conflict at that time and we can see school meals are still an simply took donations back there important issue even in Scotland

April 2014 OPEN HOUSE 3 today - the link between good nutrition and being able to learn. Mary’s Meals is IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY CENTRE a very simple concept. Let’s provide a ‘A Welcoming Space in the Heart of the City’ meal in the place of learning. 2013 - 2014 Programme WS: If I could refer to my own experience in Bangladesh where the DROP-IN EVENTS: Except July & August problem of lack of food was political? Taizé Prayer Evenings: 3rd Monday of the month, 7.30-8.30pm Tuesday Lunchtimes - Eat, Pray, Breathe: Every Tuesday,1 -1.30pm. MM: I am absolutely against the idea Carers Support Group: Last Tuesday of the month, 1.30-4pm that there is not enough food in the First Friday Retreat Mornings: 1st Friday of the month, 10am-1pm world. That’s a myth. There is enough LENT EVENTS A Film for Lent: Friday, 4th April, 6.45-9.30pm food for everyone. The reason children ‘Bread Broken and Shared’: led by Margaret Linforth. Looking forward to Holy Thursday . . . a day to don’t eat is because their families can’t celebrate the Bread of Life by making bread and reflecting together. Sat 12th April 10.30am-4.30pm afford to feed them. Not because the OTHER EVENTS food is not there. So we are very careful A New Moment For Church: A Vision of Church, afternoon series, inspired by Ignatian & Franciscan to source the children’s meals locally. Spirituality. With the election of Pope Francis, people across the Christian traditions and from other faiths have enquired about his background as a Jesuit and about the spirituality implied in his chosen name. We don’t fly in sacks of grain or tins of This series of monthly afternoons will reflect on some of these themes as they touch institutions and food from elsewhere – unless absolutely our individual sense of the importance of living a more simple and integrated life. 2-4pm. necessary. We want to have an influence 27th April: Walking Together in Peace with Our Interfaith Friends led By Isabel Smyth SND on the local economy, especially Dancing in the Spirit: 28th April, 12th May, 2nd & 9th June 7-8.30pm agriculture. But our priority is to get the These Monday evenings, which will be led by Sr Isabel Smyth SND, will provide an opportunity to dance children to school. Give them enough to the rhythms of life, leading to stillness and contemplation. food so they can study. I believe their ‘Conversations in Faith’: Supporting Interreligious Dialogue: In an attempt to foster understanding and education will change the many things respect among people of faith, as a contribution towards world peace and to creating an international including the likelihood of better community of faith, Isabel Smyth SND, on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference for Interreligious Dialogue and in partnership with the Ignatian Spirituality Centre, will facilitate a series of conversations with governments being elected and held to people from the major faith traditions: account. 30th April – Judaism led by Fiona & Howard Brodie WS: What about collaboration with Dreams, The Real Agenda: Saturday, 3rd & Sunday, 4th May, led by Patrick Greene SJ other aid agencies? (A Non-Residential Weekend: 10.30am – 4.30pm on both days) The invitation this weekend, both for spiritual accompaniers and those more generally interested in MM: For our very focused approach to dreams and spirituality, is to discover the way dreams point us to places of growth, healing and surprise; succeed we need to collaborate with to learn the language of dreams and how symbolic images reveal possibilities; to see connections other good organisations – for example between the dreams of a given timeframe and discover the real agenda of your life. Topics will include recall of dreams, dreams in the Old and New Testaments, dreams in other cultures, death in dreams, those that work in agriculture, dreams and health and much more. education, water and health. And here ‘The Literature of Love’ – Closing Day of ISC Programme Year 2013-14, Saturday, 14th June 10.30am- in Scotland, for example, during Lent 4.30pm. This day, led by David Lonsdale, will explore Ignatian Spirituality and its echoes in literature we don’t go into schools in Scotland of both past and present. because we know how important that is RETREATS for SCIAF. I believe we have struck a Two Residential Individually Guided Silent Retreats in the Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne, Co Antrim: seam where children who know the The ISC and the Epiphany Group are delighted to join this joint venture with the team of Drumalis, a beautiful Centre in Larne Co Antrim (www.drumalis.co.uk). Please contact Drumalis for bookings. importance of a school meal to 1) 6 Day Retreat - Saturday 28th June to Saturday, 5th July 2014 themselves understand that their peers 2) 3 Day Retreat - Saturday 28th June to Wednesday, 2nd July 2014 elsewhere in the world have exactly the The Bield at Blackruthven, Tibbermore, Perthshire, 14th-17th October 2014. A silent mid-week same need. They respond to that. You individually guided retreat, led by a team from the Ignatian Spirituality Centre, in the beautiful Perthshire saw what happened when over in autumn time. Retreatants have access to The Bield’s excellent facilities which include a chapel, art room, Lochgilphead 10 year old Martha Payne swimming pool, labyrinth and extensive grounds. Accommodation is in single rooms (max 9 retreatants). Please book via the Ignatian Spirituality Centre for this retreat. tried to do something on her blog about her own school meal. Her campaign Please browse our website, www.iscglasgow.co.uk, which has more information on the events, took off like a rocket. Then she made course and retreats. For bookings or a copy of the programme contact:. the link to Mary’s Meals. Oscar Romero The Administrative Secretary, Ignatian Spirituality Centre, said nobody can do everything. I believe 35 Scott Street, Glasgow, G3 6PE you need clarity about what you are Tel : 0141 354 0077 Fax : 0141 331 4588 aiming for. One meal a day in a place of e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.iscglasgow.co.uk education for the hungry child. That’s Registered Charity SCO 40490 & 230165 all we are trying to do.

4 OPEN HOUSE April 2014 Christian unity

JOHN MILLER Whatever happened to ecumenism?

A minister and former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland offers a personal reflection on the state of ecumenism in Scotland today.

All my life I have wanted closer contrary to his tradition. I just kept against a strong, long-running tide. relations between the members of the standing there on the steps. I felt a Let me digress briefly here on the Christian family. Let me set out before little like Jacob, refusing to let the topic of language. History is you some of my first steps when I angel go till he had blessed him. ‘Oh embedded in language. In some ways, went to be minister in a Castlemilk all right then,’ he said in an irritated as a visitor, I am wanting out of in January 1971. The troubles kind of way, and with a little gesture courtesy to use the phrase, ‘The in Northern Ireland were heating up. of the hand and a few words he gave Catholic Church’ when describing the There was real tension in the housing me a blessing. And off I went. affiliation of, for example, St scheme. Funerals were still taking The Archdiocese had just appointed Aloysius’. But I want to be sure that place for casualties of the Ibrox its first full-time School Chaplain – to you know that I have a share in the disaster. We heard that one of the the challenging East End school St chants at Parkhead was ‘66! Hahaha!’ Mary’s in Boden Street. In Catholic Church. For there it is in the These were the circumstances in acknowledgement of the Week of Creed which I say: which I started out as a 30-year-old Prayer for Christian Unity the new I believe in the Holy Spirit, Church of Scotland parish minister. chaplain invited some ten Church of The holy catholic church, In my first week in Castlemilk I went Scotland ministers to visit the school The communion of saints...... to the nearby chapel, St classes. It seemed like an avalanche! Accordingly, I may often use the Bartholomew’s, and asked if one of This very first very close encounter expression the Roman Catholic the priests would go for a walk with made as much of an impression on the Church. It is not intended as me round the streets of the scheme. I ministers as on the students. And we had the lofty thought that such a walk were assured, when the week was discourtesy. Rather it is to secure my would be a public demonstration, a over, that the students had been own claim to be part of the Catholic visible symbol of the kinship of astonished at all the beliefs we seemed Church, when I am quite clearly not Roman Catholic and Protestant in the to share, the same as theirs. part of the Roman Catholic Church. life and work of the Church. Father These early steps were the prelude to Peter McCafferty kindly agreed to go almost 40 years of friendship I was to Vatican II on this journey. We fixed an enjoy among the churches in the Let me go back 50 years, to the afternoon. It was surely the wettest scheme. There were monthly meetings Second Vatican Council. The day of the year. Drenched, we plodded of clergy and religious for prayer and Council’s Decree on Ecumenism urges through the deserted streets. A wet discussion, worship events for the the Roman Catholic Church to try to dog watched us from the mouth of a churches, ecumenical Lent groups, an see all Christians as part of the one close, but apart from the dog not a annual retreat at Craighead and then household. This was a very new living soul witnessed the symbolic at the Craighead Institute. The thought for the Catholic Church. But spectacle. religious sisters were always in the that’s the basic meaning of the word I went to visit the parish priest, the vanguard, always suggesting new and ‘Ecumenical’. It comes from the Greek memorable and beloved Father Daniel improved ways to broaden the word meaning ‘a house’ and means Toy. After a friendly discussion I was contacts between the churches. But ‘the entire household’. Very much the taking my leave. In the words of my this ‘ecumenical activity’ did not have same as ‘catholic’ or ‘universal’. parting greeting I asked for God to a consistent momentum of its own. Until January 25th 1959, when Pope bless him. He did not reciprocate. So I Not everyone had an equal sense that John XXIII announced his intention said, ‘Will you bless me please?’ There it was a vital part of Christian witness. to call an Ecumenical Council, the was a pause. I think it must have been Ecumenical activity was swimming standard position of the Vatican was

April 2014 OPEN HOUSE 5 them to act separately? recognise the importance of those All through those decades, the areas of growth. Vatican II for the very first Reformed Churches were aware that They are a great improvement on the time began to speak of the Roman Catholic Church was not conflicts which preceded them; participating, and that so far as the conflicts which, even during my active people in the Reformed and Vatican was concerned the only true years as a minister, were not entirely Lutheran and Anglican ecumenism was for the Eastern extinguished. But, on their own, the churches as Christian. This Orthodox Church to heal the ancient acts of friendship are not enough. For schism, and for the Reformed the divisions which lie between us are was completely new ground. Churches to return to the true Church long and deep. In her seminal book, which they had left at the Britons, about the national identity of . But in the years people of Britain, Linda Colley begins following the Second World War a with 1707 and the act of Union, tremendous amount of profound joining Scotland to England and that the path to ecumenical unity was thinking was under way in the Roman Wales, and follows through to 1837, for those who had left the Catholic Catholic Church. So when Pope John the beginning of the Victorian Age. Church to return to it. But Pope John XXIII announced that he was calling She demonstrates how the national XXIII issued a call for a complete an Ecumenical Council, although the identity of Britons was shaped during re-consideration of that view. He Reformed Ecumenical Movement was those years by Protestantism and began speaking of members of other not asked actually to participate, they Anti-Catholicism. We are still living churches as ‘our separated brethren’. and the Eastern Orthodox Churches through the aftermath of that identity Vatican II for the very first time began were invited to send delegates as formulation. And we must find ways to speak of people in the Reformed observers. Pope John XXIII had these of outgrowing that determining and Lutheran and Anglican churches delegates seated in St Peter’s, just movement. as Christian. This was completely new across the aisle from the cardinals. Let me offer two simple stories. In ground. It was the opening of a door Among the 16 texts issued by the 2003, Scottish Enterprise was in what previously had been a solid Council, the Decree on Ecumenism promoting the development of wall. There was a smile where before took its special place. It ventured Glasgow’s Science Park on a site there had been a frown. some extraordinary new steps. Its between the High Street and Albion Since 1910 the Reformed Churches focus is on a ‘pilgrim’ church moving Street, at the edge of the Merchant had been giving expression to an toward Christ, rather than on a City. As they dug the foundations the ‘Ecumenical Movement.’ A wide movement of ‘return’ to the Roman developers uncovered the remains of range of Reformed Churches linked Catholic Church. It goes beyond the Glasgow’s mediaeval Franciscan themselves together in a determination assertion that the Catholic Church is Friary. The remains of 20 individuals to overcome differences and to seek the true church, to assert that Jesus, in were uncovered: twelve men, seven their unity in Christ. The impetus for His Spirit, is at work in churches and women, one undetermined. From the this movement occurred in 1910 at a communities beyond the visible location of the graves it is likely that conference in . No borders of the Catholic Church. It they were benefactors of the Friary, representatives from the Eastern asserts that believers in Christ who are significant citizens of Glasgow of their Orthodox churches or the Roman baptised are truly re-born and are day. Having disturbed their former Catholic Church were invited, but The truly brothers and sisters to Catholics, resting place, the City Council found Edinburgh World Missionary and that God uses their worship to them a new place in the Southern Conference brought 1,200 people sanctify and save them. Necropolis situated in the former from churches and Missionary Roman Catholic Parish of St Francis. Associations from across the world. Progress A Requiem Mass in St Andrew’s Together they generated a This document has been in our hands Cathedral would be followed by the transforming energy to share in global for 50 years. Pope John XXIII’s re-interment of the remains with evangelism. Eventually, in 1948, a dynamic new words about ‘separated prayers from the Abbot of the World Council of Churches was brothers and sisters’ have been Franciscan Order. established, with its head office in wearing away the walls of division for The mediaeval Friary was destroyed Geneva. The Lund Principle, 50 years. But what have we so far at the time of the Reformation, but it developed in Sweden in 1952 asks: managed to achieve? In some ways it dated from before the Reformation, Should not the churches act together seems very little. Yet I go back to when the Christian family in Scotland in all matters except those in which those years of genuine small-scale was undivided. At the time I was deep differences of conviction compel friendship among local churches and I Moderator of Glasgow Presbytery,

6 OPEN HOUSE April 2014 gestures to move us forward. It may community which had centred itself take heroic courage to move the on prayer and on Eucharistic We had expressed ecumenical enterprise forward. fellowship would be asking itself to the profound truth I have had the privilege of accept division at its very heart. They encountering another way. Outside would not be able to share the that we share a Edinburgh, in the village of Roslin, sacrament. Cardinal Gray asked common history. there is a small community, the Roland to go and search with the rest Community of the Transfiguration. It of the community, to see if they could was founded in 1965 by the Rev have the courage to live with such a Roland Walls. A contemplative burden. They decided that they could, community, it follows a life based on and the Cardinal sent Roland off to and I approached Archbishop Mario prayer. When it started it had three prepare himself for the move into his Conti. I explained to him how it members. They were all priests of the new role as a Catholic, and later as a seemed to me that these venerable Episcopal Church. Roland Walls Catholic priest. He sent Roland to live bones belonged to us all, part of our taught theology in the University, for three months on the Isle of common undivided heritage. In Robert was a youth worker and John Cumbrae, with the documents of recognition of this, he invited me to be worked as a miner. They were utterly Vatican II for company. On his return, present at the service, and to read one committed to the ecumenical task. having read the documents most of the Scripture lessons. Archbishop Various other individuals from carefully, Roland said to the Cardinal, Conti in his sermon, and Lord Provost different denominations came to test ‘They seem to be full of unexploded Mrs. Liz Cameron in her speech in the themselves, to see if the contemplative bombs’. St Francis Centre, noted how suitable life was for them. For almost 30 years the community it was for the Moderator of Glasgow But the community has had a way of have lived with that discipline of a Presbytery to be present at the Mass life that was not for everyone. In utter division at the sacrament. When one affirming the shared history of the contrast to the acquisitive nature of of the non-Catholics celebrates the church in the City of Glasgow. So it our society and culture, they have Eucharist, only the non-Catholics came to pass that on that Friday lived very simply. Their house is a receive the bread and the wine. When morning in March 2005 two large former Miner’s Welfare library, a Roland or another visiting Catholic caskets, each containing the mortal wooden-framed building clad with was to celebrate, only the Catholics remains of ten mediaeval citizens of corrugated iron sheeting. They have receive. In this way the Community Glasgow, were laid to rest in the had no television, and for 35 years no feel that they have taken into their Southern Necropolis, beneath the phone. Each member has had a small heart the pain of Christ at the division branches of a silver birch tree. We had garden hut in the Enclosure at the of his body, the Church. Very expressed the profound truth that we back of the House. The hut has a bed, occasionally they have been granted a share a common history. and a desk and a stool. There the dispensation, to share hospitality in The second story concerns a visit to members could study and pray and the Eucharist. Rome I made in 2003. I was one of sleep. Their chapel is two garden Roland died in 2011 at the age of the guests of Archbishop Keith sheds end-to-end, where they have 93. Sister Patty will be 98 in June. O’Brien, when he went to Rome to be met for prayer four times a day. They John, the youngest, was 80 last made a Cardinal. When all vows had have welcomed anyone to their plain Boxing Day. It was in their rule that been taken and all the presentations wooden kitchen table for a simple they were never to seek publicity, or made, it was time for the new meal. Wayfarers, bishops, ministers, join causes or campaigns. Cardinal and his family and close priests and professors would come to Nevertheless, in their extraordinary friends to share some time together. the door and each was treated with humility and constancy they have They gathered for a meal. And the the same courtesy and welcome. been hugely influential in the lives of new Cardinal invited the Church of The community at its largest grew to religious communities and of Scotland representative to say grace. have five members. But they yearned individuals all across Britain. At this most personal occasion, as the to fulfill their ecumenical hopes by I am left wondering, however, about Cardinal’s own family celebrated with welcoming a Roman Catholic the significance of that disunity which the Catholic Church’s family, Keith member. After 20 years, an they so faithfully maintained at the Patrick O’Brien marked the event with unexpected development answered Eucharistic table. It remains a a poignant ecumenical invitation. their hopes. In 1985 Roland Walls continuing focus of ecumenical The divisions between us have been became a Roman Catholic. attention, and a painful barrier so longstanding and so deep that it is The then Cardinal Archbishop, excluding separated brothers and going to take huge steps and symbolic Gordon Gray, could see that a sisters from the heart of the family’s

April 2014 OPEN HOUSE 7 which Pope John XXIII opened with they are Anglican, Lutheran, Catholic Vatican II. At the end of this year’s or Orthodox. Their blood is mixed. While we dispute among Week of Prayer for Christian Unity he To those who kill we are Christians. said. ‘Unity will not come about as a Those who kill Christians don’t ask ourselves we fail to take the miracle at the very end. Rather, unity part we could and should comes about in journeying. If we do for your identity card to see which take in the shaping of the not walk together, if we do not pray Church you were baptised in. We are for one another, if we do not united in blood, even though we have future of our culture. collaborate in the many ways that we not yet managed to take necessary can in this world for the people of steps towards unity between us.’ God, then unity will not come about.’ So I am not without hope. The Pope Francis has also spoken of another kind of ecumenism. In a enterprise is of such great importance life. But does it warrant the effects it startling phrase, he has spoken of, ‘the that it will not be laid aside. produces? ecumenism of blood’. ‘In some Many of you will be familiar with countries,’ he said, ‘they kill watching football. You will often have This is an edited version of a talk seen a couple of players squaring up Christians for wearing a cross or given at the Glasgow Newman to each other off the ball. They push having a Bible, and before they kill and pull at each other long after the them they do not ask them whether Association in February. ball has moved to another part of the pitch and the rest of the players are focusing on the game. I am afraid for the churches as we take part in the ecumenical enterprise. I fear that we THE NEWMAN ASSOCIATION may be like players taking part in a (GLASGOW) scuffle off the ball, while the game is continuing somewhere else on the 2013/2014 LECTURE SERIES pitch. We are increasingly aware that Islam Promoting open discussion and greater understanding in today’s Church is playing a major role in the dynamic of Western society. I am convinced that the whole Christian Church needs THE VATICAN AND THE to be shaping our relationship to Islam, and that is an even more urgent AMERICAN SISTERS’ call on our resources and our spiritual attention than our internal historic LEADERSHIP GROUP Christian divisions. I fear that in another way, too, we – AN UPDATE are failing to take part in the game A talk by itself which is continuing in Europe and the West. Other forces are SR MARY ROSS contending for the soul of our culture Sisters of Notre Dame and for the individual souls within it. Secularism in particular dismisses the THURSDAY 1st MAY 2014 Churches and our spiritual message, and while we dispute among ourselves at 7. 30pm we fail to take the part we could and Ogilvie Centre should take in the shaping of the future of our culture. St Aloysius’Church, Rose Street GLASGOW G3 6RE Conclusion But there are indications of hope. Admission: Non-Members: three pounds (includes refreshments) Pope Francis seems to be drawing the Any enquiries, email to: [email protected] curtains back from those windows

8 OPEN HOUSE April 2014 Reshaping the church (1)

WILLY SLAVIN The challenge of mission

A retired parish priest who has just celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination says the church is what’s left when the preacher leaves town.

Cardinal Nicholls surprised some have they not exercised leadership in and wealthy Scots? Or have we been churchgoers when he said that you the churches they were born into? kidding ourselves they have been don’t need the Eucharist to be a good Because the preacher has not let them. educated also in faith? After a century Catholic. He was talking about He (sic) has not moved on, job done. and more of Catholicism in Scotland remarried divorcees who are He has stayed and become the we are returning to a small number of prevented by Law from manager of the plant. priests. Is the laity able and willing to receiving communion. But he could Or, if he has not been able to build manage the building(s) and use them have been thinking of his relative, a up the community, he has been moved as centres for compassion and well known Mill Hill missionary who to a ‘busier’ parish. The building(s) he outreach to the lost sheep in the ‘new may have told him that in ‘the has left are closed, their fate to be evangelisation’? missions’ Catholics in general don’t decided by HQ. Unless there are I once heard Cardinal O’Brien have access to the Eucharist. enough of those who burst a gut appealing for more (priestly) Yet in the panic building up around building and paying for them. They vocations saying ‘no priest, no the Catholic Church in Scotland - that might be articulate enough to get an Eucharist, no Church’. I thought of is, as older people have known it agreement that a priest will be good Bangladesh and the villages of the old - key decisions are about to be made enough to squeeze them in over the Portuguese Padroado who (like the which appear to be based on the weekend. Japanese in Nagasaki) had survived need, first and foremost, to continue There are Catholics who have centuries without benefit of clergy. It to provide Sunday Mass as shown in the midst of scandals that was their daughters at boarding conveniently as possible for the those they know there is a church beyond school in Calcutta who went over the who retain that habit. We don’t see the clergy. Therefore there is a church convent wall with Mother Teresa and ourselves as a missionary church. The besides the Eucharist. After all what became the founding members of the priority is to provide local vicars for makes us Christian is baptism. If Missionaries of Charity. Perhaps the Mass and the quasi state rituals Sunday Mass becomes irregular it will single most effective gospel witness in around births, marriages and deaths. be all that Catholics have to go on. our life time. Of course it takes Priests in the ‘better’ parishes who Will the water of baptism prove more courage and confidence. And still have an impressive Sunday influential than the demands of kith imagination. attendance comfort themselves and kin? Relying on baptism could hearing from Church of Scotland make it easier, indeed imperative, to Catholics come in all sorts of shapes ministers whose congregations have link with Christians from other and sizes. Some have concluded, not all but disappeared. However even in churches who find themselves in the always happily, that it is really these affluent areas the absence of same boat. non-sense but still belong because of young adults is apparent. On the On the missions the priority is not to all the cultural associations. Some other hand, there are still lively get those who have been baptised into practise in the sense they go to church Church of Scotland congregations the habit of Sunday mass. It is to get but they do not preach because they and not all of them in better off them fed. To build a school and lack the confidence to tell others what places. Furthermore, if we look provide a dispensary. That’s how they believe. Some preach but do not beyond the main denominations we Catholicism returned to Scotland. practise discomfiting the comfortable. can see independent congregations ‘Parishes’ were legally the remit of the But there are others, and it never who are paying for their own youth Church of Scotland. The new takes very many determined workers and sending missionaries Catholic organisations were set up as individuals to make an impact, who overseas. These often are lay led ‘Missions’. have the courage and the confidence churches with members recruited This is what is expected of newly of the Catholic Idea. Their time has from the mainline denominations, converted poor Africans. How much come. All they need now is a bit of including the Catholic Church. Why more might be expected of healthy imagination.

April 2014 OPEN HOUSE 9 Reshaping the church (2)

WILLIAM R MCFADDEN The experience of Galloway diocese

A parish priest and former of Scotus College reflects on the opportunity for a renewed focus on the ministry of all the baptised as the Catholic Church faces up to dramatic decline in Mass attendance and clergy numbers.

In the present climate where our something to be eagerly grasped, and diocesan communities throughout ‘Embracing Change’ is part of not something to be feared or avoided. Scotland are looking at the demands Change will of necessity involve and the requirements of pastoral a bigger picture that looks at practical decisions, but these decisions provision in what can only be described ministry as something that must come only as the result of as rapidly changing circumstances, the unites both laity and clergy, constructive and reasoned dialogue Diocese of Galloway is in the midst of involving as many members of the what it is calling the process of and that sees the wonderful different parish communities as possible. ‘Embracing Change.’ opportunities available today, The parishes of Galloway Diocese are This process builds upon a previous especially to the laity, when a mixture of rural communities and pastoral vision called ‘Embracing the sizeable towns, and so different Future,’ which presented principles new situations require creative responses are required in different areas. which were considered as non- and collaborative responses. In recent years many parishes have negotiable in underpinning all pastoral already experienced the value of analysis and decision making as the clustering, where after the initial shock diocese entered into the 21st century.1 opportunities available today, especially of losing a resident parish priest, there The principles of ‘Embracing the Future’ to the laity, when new situations require have been benefits from the use of remain valid, yet the pastoral reality is creative and collaborative responses. It shared local resources, where parishes that what was considered as something is about having a mindset of mission, working together experience a bond vaguely linked to the future has in fact not of maintenance, where the focus is which had not been there before. now become the present. What was on the proclamation of God’s Kingdom, Parishes grouped together highlight the suitable in the past is no longer and where all the baptised are seen as truth that every single parish has gifts sustainable, and so ‘Embracing Change’ being uniquely and individually called to and resources, but that no single parish means that the diocese must now serve one another in faith. has all the gifts or means required for a address some very serious pastoral ‘Embracing Change’ is rooted in vibrant community of faith. Uniting questions. encouraging all members of the diocesan parishes and encouraging lay leadership Yet from the outset it has been clearly community to pray about the situation. to emerge has acted to strengthen the stated that such a process of pastoral Only from this foundation can we hope local community, and not diminish it, as discernment is not simply about trying to co-operate with the Holy Spirit in some may have feared. to come to terms with a dramatic seeking to nurture inspired and The number of laity who in recent decline in the number of active clergy imaginative pastoral possibilities. It is by years have taken on positions of available to minister on a day-to-day being rooted in prayerful discernment responsibility and leadership in the basis. Nor is it about simply facing up to that we can listen to God’s Word as it is diocese is sizable, but this will have to the fact that we have too many church directed to us in the midst of our increase significantly if the people are to buildings and other properties that are structures and organisations, many of continue to experience ministry and no longer required to accommodate the which may have been looked on as service. Different areas will need to numbers of people attending Mass. essential in the past, but through prayer come up with different scenarios with Rather, ‘Embracing Change’ is part of a are now being recognized as secondary, an assortment of roles for lay team bigger picture that looks at ministry as and no longer required. ministers, for deacons and for priests. something that unites both laity and From the foundation of prayerful Some parishes may flourish in having a clergy, and that sees the wonderful discernment, change can be seen as parish co-ordinator, others may be team-

10 OPEN HOUSE April 2014 Reshaping the church (3) led, while others may discern that their PAT BAIRD future is best served by amalgamation or merger. There can be no one size fits all proposal but rather each pastoral area will need to seek solutions to whatever challenges arise. Of course, there will be Opportunities missed hurts and disappointments. Not all expectations will be met. Individuals may The ‘Notebook’ of the March edition into feedback for the steering group, well have to go through the experience of of Open House mentioned the whose composition was not revealed, what they had once considered a vital part consultation in Glasgow Archdiocese but presumably is composed of of their Catholic identity is no longer on the possible closure of parishes. clerics. Certainly a comment accessible. Experience of that consultation regretting the fact that no members of Yet in all this, the wonderful and vibrant suggests that, 50 years after Vatican the laity - young people, sisters, or message of the Gospel is close. We have the II, we seem to be no further forward women generally - appeared to be on opportunity to form communities of faith in acknowledging and capitalising on the steering group was not which can directly respond to the needs and the role of the laity. The attitude contradicted. appears to be one of defeat - there are We were asked to answer six demands of today. The desire for a Catholic fewer priests in the pipeline so no questions on how parish consultations community where collaboration between solution is considered but to close had been undertaken: the number of laity and clergy is not simply an ideal but a churches and amalgamate parishes. formal and informal meetings, reality is worth the effort. A Church where No discussion is suggested or attendance at those meetings, which lay people are empowered to recognise encouraged about possible option/s chosen etc. We were then their role in mission originating in their alternatives, about what the other directly into the main agenda baptism is a Church that surely better members of the People of God can do (although no formal agenda was reflects the vision of the Gospel. to help. distributed) which was about As Galloway Diocese seeks to ‘Embrace The first part of the process involved closures. I should say here that no minutes were to be taken, since the Change’ it does so conscious of the a series of open meetings held at parish level to consider a future when chair did not like minutes. No mysterious promptings of the Holy Spirit. there will be far fewer priests than at agenda, no minutes - fait accompli! This Holy Spirit has led Pope Francis to present. The second stage required Pleas from our parish representatives assume his role as Bishop of Rome, and so parishes to send three representatives to outline our concerns were has dramatically brought a prophetic voice to their deanery for further disallowed, although these concerns to help us address the pastoral questions discussion. Of the 14 parishes in my were such that, at our open meeting, facing us today. As different communities deanery, it is estimated that in 20 we were unable to vote for any of the reflect on how, why and where we must years time the number of priests will closure options. Several (respectful) change, our pastoral priorities must emerge fall from 18 to 6 and the Consultation attempts to present our thoughts were somehow in tune with the priorities being Document wanted parishioners to rejected and there were accusations of vote on how to deploy these priests. filibustering! Finally, the chair enunciated by Pope Francis. This is an The document posed two questions: suggested a vote on whether our enormous challenge, and one that may well • What pastoral commitments are views should be heard before or after mean we have to re-assess positions which there in the deanery - schools, the vote on the closure options. The we had previously held with certainty. nursing homes, hospitals etc? meeting voted to hear these after the Francis’ pastoral message is clearly a • Do any of the priests currently have vote. Church of the poor and a Church for the other commitments which affect the On the six options from the steering poor. In ‘Embracing Change’ we will have time that they can give to parish group, the majority (8 parishes) voted to let this be our main concern. ministry? for Option B (6 parishes each with At our parish meeting considerable one priest) or Option C (3 parishes Fr William McFadden is parish priest of St time was spent on those questions each with one church building but Andrew’s and St Cuthbert’s, Kirkudbright and in discussing the central role of some with more than one priest). and adult education co-ordinator for the the priest, the role of the laity The chair then invited the priests and Diocese of Galloway. He taught according to Vatican II, and what the deacons present for a private few Fundamental and Systematic Theology at laity could do to assist in the parish minutes with him, while the laity Scotus College, Scotland’s National ministry. went for tea. After some ‘had taken Seminary, where he was rector until the However, at the subsequent deanery counsel and some had tea’, the college’s closure in 2009. meeting, the second part of the summary of our parish concerns was consultation process, none of these read out and a written statement of 1The principles contained in the document observations, or indeed any feedback them distributed. ‘Embracing the Future’ can be found on the from the parish discussions, was The meeting restarted, with an eye diocesan website at www.gallowaydiocese.org.uk expected or invited. We were straight on the clock, and we were asked

April 2014 OPEN HOUSE 11 Easter reflection immediately to vote on ‘Which three parishes THEODORA HAWKSLEY should stay open?’ – that is, Option C seemed to have been decided for us. Many representatives were reluctant to vote, pointing out that we were not there as delegates but as representatives from our parishes and we should not vote on this question until we had Sharing in the journey consulted open parish meetings. The view of the chair was that if we did not vote on this, Have you ever notice how much distance. He will die, and be laid in a ‘The opportunity was lost’. (Of course, the movement there is in the Easter tomb, and the stone will be rolled opportunity had also been lost to explore the liturgies? Catholic liturgy already over the entrance: where I am going, respective roles of the clergy and of the laity). includes plenty of movement, as we you cannot come. In the event, no vote was taken and the chair genuflect, make the sign of the cross, But Jesus’ journey is not only a asked for an answer from our parishes by 6th April on which three parishes should stay kneel, stand, and so on – a journey to Jerusalem, one that comes open to pass to the Archbishop. The meeting Presbyterian friend of mine who to an end in a lonely death outside then closed with a prayer. came to Mass with me once the city wall. It is also a journey back So that was the meeting. What a failure of remarked, ‘You could get fit doing to the Father (Jn 16:28). The imagination! And many questions which that!’ But over the course of the Holy momentum of Jesus’ journey back to should have been posed were not. For example Week liturgies, we add in even more the Father does not come to a dead the estimated number of priests in this deanery movement. On Palm Sunday we halt in the tomb: it continues, and in 2034 is based on factors such as current gather outside our churches with becomes the momentum of the number of seminarians, current mass palms to walk with Jesus on his entry resurrection, as the Father raises attendees, current number of First into Jerusalem, and on Maundy Jesus into his presence with the glory Communions, current number of funerals - Thursday we wash one another’s feet he had before the world began (Jn which are all internal factors. Surely other and walk with Jesus to the desperate 17:5). And in this journey back to trends and demographics should have been loneliness of the garden of the Father, Jesus is not alone, because considered such as, population projections, Gethsemane, watching and praying he brings us with him. ‘I want those new housing developments, immigration with him in silence. On Good Friday, you have given me to be with me trends - especially from the European when all is finished, we solemnly where I am, to see my glory, which Community. process to the crucifix and kiss the you have given me because you loved The exercise would have profited greatly by feet of Christ. Finally, at the Easter exploring more fully the roles of deacons, me before the foundation of the sisters, lay catechists and women generally in Vigil, we gather outside in the world.’ (Jn 17:24) This is what he playing a greater part in parish ministry. The darkness for the lighting of the prays before his lonely death: I want whole consultation process was narrow and Easter fire, and we move into church those you have given me to be with priest-centred. If it had broadened, then the as the light of the resurrection me where I am. I want you to be role of the priest could be more concentrated spreads around us, candle by candle. with me where I am. on Mass, the Eucharist and the other All this moving about in Holy Often, our moving around in Sacraments, and preaching the Word of God. Week comes as the climax of the day-to-day life is purely functional. The Church in developing countries could journey of Lent which, for Jesus, is We walk to get to the shops, to teach us a lot about sustainability when the the journey towards Jerusalem. On work, we catch buses and trains and, priest in on his travels within parishes the size the road to Jerusalem there is a kind once we have got where are going, of Central Scotland. We could also look to St of impatience in him, a restlessness: we get on with whatever tasks await Paul and his travels and his talent for delegating ‘I have a baptism with which to be us there. But when we move about in ministries to men and women when he was no baptized, and what stress I am under the Easter liturgies, we are not doing longer there. There are more options than the until it is completed!’ (Lk 12:50) He it to get anywhere. We move with narrow few we have been given. seems to grow distant, pulling away Jesus through the events of his If my experience of the archdiocese’s from those around him who do not passion and death because we consultation is typical, I must ask: is this a understand his preoccupation with serious consultation or an attempt not to recognise that, through these things, involve but to implicate the laity in decisions his impending suffering and death, we are sharing in a much more already taken elsewhere? This is not Vatican and to their protestations of loyalty, profound reality: Jesus’ movement II’s vision of a laity whose ‘activity within the he says, ‘Where I am going, you towards the Father, and the Spirit’s church communities is so necessary that cannot come.’ (Jn 13:33) The passion movement towards the world. without it the apostolate of the pastors will and death that Jesus is walking frequently be unable to attain its full effect.’ towards is a work that only he can Dr Theodora Hawksley works for (Vatican II, Decree on the Apostolate of the accomplish, and he will be alone in the University of Edinburgh’e Centre Laity, chapter 3, n 10). it. Nobody will speak for him at his for Theology and Public Issues on a trial. The disciples will desert or deny project called Peacebuilding through Pat Baird is a retired newspaper executive. him. The women will watch from a the Media Arts.

12 OPEN HOUSE April 2014 Referendum debate

GLASGOW NEWMAN MEETING Catholics, the referendum and afterwards

There was a full house for the Glasgow Newman Association’s discussion on ‘Catholics, the referendum and afterwards’ which took place at the end of March.

Three speakers set out their views: Sister allow us to relate to one another in new recent headlines which declared that Isabel Smyth SND, secretary of the ways. We would be better together as Catholics were the most pro-independence Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Committee for independent and equal countries. group in Scotland. Catholics are no longer Interreligious Dialogue; advocate and Journalist Keven McKenna, who in the ghetto. This allows us, he said, to former Labour MSP Brian Fitzpatrick; declared himself undecided, began by speak to the nation as equals who are part and journalist Kevin McKenna. The recalling his Catholic and Labour Party of a bigger whole. We are Irish Catholic debate was chaired by Gerry Carruthers. background which gave people the by heritage, Scottish by birth and culture, Sister Isabel opened with the observation opportunity to carry the values of British and proud of it all. that whatever the outcome, next Christianity into daily living. But today he The Catholic hierarchy should remain September’s referendum has encouraged perceives that Christianity for the Left is silent because of ‘real and remaining reflection on the future of Scotland. In the ‘sin which dares not speak its name’; a scandals’; but lay people have a duty to particular, she said good conversations are development he traces back to the 1990s encourage a high turnout so that we reach taking place around the values engraved and the refusal of the Labour Party to a definitive decision in September. The on the Scottish mace which sits before allow pro-life stalls at party conferences. church can help the tenor of the debate, parliamentarians in Holyrood: wisdom, But despite what he called ‘neo-liberal which all three speakers found unpleasant integrity, justice and compassion. socialism’ he is still a Catholic and a in parts, suggesting that bridges would There are, she suggested, two Labour voter at heart. have to be built after September’s vote. approaches to the referendum question of We are, he said, a privileged generation Independence, he argued, would come at yes or no to independence for Scotland. to be voting on the most important event a cost: we will be poorer, have a risky The first is governed by the head and in our lifetime. We have a rich and pension base and higher taxes. He said the focuses on the economy and issues like dramatic Christian history which includes debate lacked honesty and the SNP had monetary union and currency. But here one of the purest forms of worship – that failed to answer many questions. Which she found no answers – for every of the Free Presbyterians – which we currency will we use? Who will be the statement there is someone to argue the should cherish. The consequences of a Yes lender of last resort? Will we be in or out opposite. The practicalities, she believed, vote for Catholics is already being of Europe? would only be resolved at the time of a debated: some think that anti Catholic The process of separation, should it post referendum settlement. bigotry would become more prevalent come, would be long and damaging; in The second approach is one of the heart and others hint at the ‘orange menace’. the meantime the real issue of inequality which focuses on the resources, capacity They are wrong, he argued; Labour is remains. The biggest challenge, he argued, and ability of Scots to run their own more hostile to Catholicism, and Alex is the East end of Glasgow about which affairs. Sister Isabel said she will vote Yes Salmond has pledged to keep Catholic the Scottish government has done nothing because she believes in subsidiarity. When schools. in 10 years. Looking for a crusade, he it is ignored, governments often overstep What, then, should we be looking for? A asked? We should be using all our their boundaries. At UK level, Scotland, as society built on equality, inclusiveness and resources to be ambitious for social justice a nation with its own unique culture and social justice. As someone who loves in Scotland and the UK. history, should be taken seriously but in England, should he vote to remain in the In the course of the debate which her experience is not. At Holyrood, she union where we might be able to ‘help followed, Sister Isabel challenged the argued, it is easier to hold politicians to defeat unfettered capitalism’, he asked, or audience to reflect on how many of them account. We are all – people of all faiths should we take a once in a lifetime have participated in Scottish government in Scotland – bound together by civic opportunity to build a new country? consultations. She stressed the importance identity. Borders can be places where Brian Fitzpatrick, who declared that he of civic identity and participation. Brian people meet and encounter one another. will be voting No, observed that 30 years Fitzpatrick argued that after the Independence need not separate us but ago people would have been amazed by referendum we need to find a way of

April 2014 OPEN HOUSE 13 Referendum (2) having a conversation about STEPHEN SMYTH better government in Scotland which devolves power to local areas. One member of the audience who hailed from Northern Churches and nations Ireland said his experience was the further you are from the centre of power, the less you get. Many people consider that, whatever the Worship was led by Rev Carolyn Smyth He pointed out that the East End decision of the referendum on the future of (United Reform Church). The facilitation was of Glasgow had not flourished Scotland on 18 Sept 2014, relationships led by Helen Hood (Convener of ACTS), Br under Labour, and while social among and across our churches and nations Stephen Smyth (retiring General Secretary) justice should play a big part in are facing significant change. and a small team drawn from across the the debate, it will not: the To help address this, ACTS (Action of Scottish churches. emphasis is on the pound in Churches Together in Scotland) hosted a people’s pocket and he spoke of conference, ‘Churches and Nations – Possible Practical initiatives Implications of the Referendum on the ‘scaremongering and corporate The conference produced no formal papers Future of Scotland’, designed for people with intimidation from the south’. or reports. Rather, there was plenty of senior ecumenical responsibility from across Gerry Carruthers asked if passion and rich, lively, informative and Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. It took challenging input and discussion. Delegates federalism was the answer. Kevin place in Edinburgh on 10th and 11th March, were charged with taking the conversation McKenna said that his colleagues and 48 delegates took part. The National back to their churches and organisations. A on The Observer wouldn’t Ecumenical Instruments (ACTS, CTBI, CTE, few practical initiatives have been proposed Cytun and ICC)* and 18 denominations support independence, but hope by way of follow up. We hope to be able to were represented. the debate on social justice will share something of these later in the run up The approach was participatory and lead to heightened awareness in conversational. Formal input came from to the referendum. parts of England and spark a some well known presenters: Dr Alison Elliot The Scottish delegates and churches are movement for autonomy for (Impact of the Referendum on Contemporary encouraging people – however they decide to areas like the North East, South Scotland); Dr Donald Smith (Crossing vote – to consider the values they would wish West, and Midlands. An Borders: Culture and Faith); Rev Dr Graham to see in Scottish society, to engage in the independent Scotland could come Blount (From Stateless Nation to Nation national debate leading up to the referendum, to be seen as part of a federal State?); Rev Dr David Cornick (Scottish to exercise their vote and to actively work for union which rejects London. Decisions, British Consequences? The the common good for everyone in our Referendum and Cross-Border Churches); society. Brian Fitzpatrick thought this and, V Rev Dr Sheilagh Kesting and Rev was a pipe dream and Sister The following resource materials may be of William McFadden (Identity and Identities: interest to readers: Isabel said what was on offer is Called to Be One? A Theological Reflection). • independence, not federalism. There was plenty of time for informal input ACTS: ‘Values for Scotland’, four Scripture- There are no guarantees whatever and reflection – not least at the conference based group reflection materials, themed the outcome, she argued, but it is dinner. Then we were joined, and briefly on the four values inscribed on the Scottish Mace: Justice, Wisdom, Compassion and a risk worth taking. addressed, by Rt Rev John Armes (Scottish Integrity. Visit www.acts-scotland.org Neither Kevin McKenna nor Episcopal Church, Bishop of Edinburgh), M Rev (Roman Catholic, Material available for free download. Brian Fitzpatrick thought there Archbishop Emeritus of Glasgow), V Rev • Church of Scotland, Church and Society was such a thing as a ‘Catholic Alan McDonald (Church of Scotland, Report: ‘Imagining Scotland’s Future – vote’ but, like Sister Isabel, Former Moderator of General Assembly), Our Vision’. Visit www.churchofscotland. thought the church could play a and Rev Francis Alao (General Secretary of org.uk Report available for Free download. part by moderating meetings and MECTIS – Minority Ethnic Christians encouraging participation in the Together in Scotland) who was a delegate to * KEY: ACTS: Action of Churches Together debate. Workshops conducted by the conference. They each shared important in Scotland; CTBI: Churches Together in Britain and Ireland; CTE: Churches Together the Church of Scotland around considerations about the role of the churches, encouraging participation in the referendum, in England; Cytun (Churches Together in the country were seen as positive. maintaining relationships afterwards, the Wales); and ICC: Irish Council of Churches. A show of hands at the end of history and current social context of the evening indicated a fairly even Scotland, and questions about the kind of Stephen Smyth is a Marist Brother and split between Yes and No with a society we wish to have, including issues retiring General Secretary of Action of sprinkle of undecided. around immigration and inclusion. Churches Together in Scotland.

14 OPEN HOUSE April 2014 Referendum (3)

DR EILIDH WHITEFORD Women and independence

Dr Eilidh Whiteford, SNP MP for Banff and Buchan, offers the third in our series of reflections on Scotland’s Future, the Scottish Government’s White Paper on Independence.

By any measure Scotland is one of the workforce today will likely to have to decade. However, with independence, we richest countries in the world, but it’s work until they are 70. plan to be much more ambitious, also one of the most unequal. For me, Yet life expectancy in Scotland is drawing inspiration from our Nordic the greatest opportunity that a Yes vote consistently lower than the rest of the neighbours, providing free childcare for in September’s referendum offers is the UK across all income groups. Like all children aged one to five. Fully chance to build a fairer, more prosperous developed nations, Scotland needs to implemented, it’ll save families on society in line with our democratic adapt to an aging population, but we average up to £4,600 a year, bring more aspirations. Women have a lot to spend a lower proportion of our GDP on parents back into the workforce, boost contribute and a great deal to gain from pensions and other forms of social family incomes, and ensure women in that process. protection than the rest of the UK. With particular are not forced to choose Any measures that tackle economic pensions more affordable in an between career and family. If we can inequalities in our society are likely to independent Scotland than in the UK as raise women’s participation in the labour benefit women most, because women are a whole, we are able to guarantee that market to levels achieved in, for example, currently heavily over-represented in low State Pensions and public sector pensions Sweden, then not only will we boost our income groups. After 40 years of equal will be paid exactly as now post wider economic performance, but there’s pay law, women on average still earn less independence, but looking ahead, we can a taxation dividend to the tune of than men, and are much more likely to think more carefully about whether hundreds of millions of pounds. be working in low paid, low skilled jobs. further increases in the state pension age The powers of independence would Women are also more likely to stop are necessary or desirable. also give the Scottish Government the work, or work part time in order to look One of the key potential benefits of ability to raise the minimum wage, which after children or elderly relatives. independence likely to help significant has not kept pace with inflation. Had it The long term impact of low pay and numbers of women will be improvements done so, the lowest-paid workers would part time work is felt by many women to childcare that will give much more today be over £600 a year better off. much later in life, when they find that choice for working parents. We know, Women are disproportionately they don’t have an occupational pension, for example, that many parents who represented in the minimum wage jobs or haven’t paid enough contributions for want to work full time don’t because market, and this failure to maintain a a decent standard of living in retirement. they simply can’t afford the cost of reasonable wage has impacted low-paid That’s why most of those who end up on childcare, so they stay at home, work women harder than just about any other means tested benefits in old age are part-time, or in some cases take jobs group. A minimum wage that keeps pace women. They have often spent years below their skill level in order to get the with the cost of living is a key juggling caring while working hard in flexibility they need. Mums are much commitment in the White Paper and is a any number of low paid jobs – cleaning, more likely than dads to find themselves building block of a fairer society. catering, cashiering - but they have little in this position. It’s not just families that In September we choose between two to show for it at the end of their working lose out - our whole economy futures – one decided for us, where the lives. underperforms when a large part of the UK Government continues to dismantle Pensioners in the UK are among the workforce is inactive or semi-active. the welfare state, cuts support to families, least well supported in Europe, and The Scottish Government has already and stigmatises disadvantaged people – recently proposed changes, while they enhanced the availability of quality or one we decide for ourselves, in line will undoubtedly help some women start childcare – provision is better in Scotland with the values, needs and circumstances saving for retirement, won’t compensate than the rest of the UK, and that may be of the people who live and work in for low pay. Westminster is raising the one of the reasons why we have more Scotland. The chance to set ourselves on age at which individuals receive the state women in work, and why our child a path to a brighter, fairer future is in our pension; young women entering the poverty rate fell twice as fast over the last own hands.

April 2014 OPEN HOUSE 15 NOTEBOOK

Vikings in London ways to create a new kind of union. programmes for the poor. Along the way, prayer groups turned into rallies, and small The impact of the referendum continues to Pilgrims’ tales town meetings became national media reverberate south of the border. An exhibition Next month’s Open House will carry a events. Sister Simone became a galvanising on the Vikings in the British Museum has feature on pilgrimages. If you have walked force for progressives of all stripes and been described as ‘quietly subversive’ an ancient pilgrim route or journeyed to one remains a driving force for programmes (Madeleine Bunting, The Guardian, 25 of Scotland’s many ancient sites of religious and policies that support faith, family, and March) as it invites Britain to look afresh at significance, we’d love to hear from you. fairness. its northern boundaries and the influence they Send a letter or short article by 25th April to Rooted in a deep spirituality of exerted over national identities. [email protected] compassion and service, Sister Simone gives The Vikings were not just wild savages voice to the hunger, isolation, and fear that emblematic of mythical forces who struck Referendum resources so many people in America are feeling and terror into the hearts of coastal settlements The Archdiocese of St Andrew’s and shows how we can create transformation around the British Isles: they were seaborne Edinburgh has produced a series of leaflets in our communities and in our own hearts traders who sailed as far as Afghanistan, for groups who want to discuss issues like through the contemplative life of prayer. Constantinople and Newfoundland. Like the economic justice, human dignity and In a new iBook due to be available for Scots and English who came after them and solidarity in relation to September’s download on 15th April, inspiring stories built the British Empire, they traded and referendum on Scottish independence. To from the Nuns on the Bus tour and from pillaged their way to power and wealth. The download, go to the Justice and Peace Sister Simone’s own life offer readers a beauty and delicacy of the jewellery on section of the website at www.edinburgh- fresh vision for a lived spirituality that is at display in the exhibition speak of a different archdiocese.com the heart of today’s progressive Christian domestic life. movements working for change. Why is this subversive? Because it reminds A Nun on the Bus Sister Mary Ross, who gave a talk on the us of the many forces that shape our In the summer of 2012, Sister Simone dispute between American women religious communities and nation states, and the Campbell was one of a group of Roman and the Vatican Congregation for the uncertain boundaries and ambiguous legacies Catholic nuns who took to the road and Doctrine of the faith (Open House 228) we have inherited. It is an invitation to toured parts of the US to rally support will provide an update on the sister’s re-imagine our identities and relationships against Congressman Paul Ryan’s budget situation at the beginning of May (see beyond the UK and perhaps look for new which planned to cut vital social Newman advert page 8).

16 OPEN HOUSE April 2014 LETTERS LIVING SPIRIT The Editor of Open House email : [email protected] When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, All correspondence, including email, must give full postal address and telephone number Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices with which Taking up the challenge that the Holy Spirit will guide us. Our third meeting takes place on 8th May, 7 to go and anoint him. The letter by JV Isaacs (Open House), And very early in the morning on the first day March 2014) challenges readers to be to 8.30pm, at the Ignatian Spirituality Centre, 35 Scott Street, Glasgow G3 of the week they went to the tomb, just as the ‘bold and creative’ in building the sun was rising. church of the future as Pope Francis has 6PE. You are very welcome to join us if On entering the tomb they saw a young man in exhorted us to do. This is a welcome you would like to participate in the a white robe seated on the right-hand side, and challenge and a timely one, given the conversation. Please email : Parish Pastoral Provision Consultation [email protected] for they were struck with amazement. But he said Document currently being considered more information. to them, ‘There is no need for alarm. You are in parishes in the Archdiocese of Ahilya Noone, Glasgow looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was Glasgow. Doubtless similar exercises crucified: he has risen, he is not here. See, here is are going on or will go on in other The business of change the place where they laid him. But you must go dioceses in Scotland. I wish to repeat in outline a remark I and tell his disciples and Peter, “He is going The Open House conference held in made on governance at a recent before you to Galilee; it is there you will see Glasgow in November 2013 drew interchurch meeting in Edinburgh, in him, just as he told you”’. And the women attention to the role of the laity in the response to an item in the March came out and ran away from the tomb because governance of the church – edition of Open House ’Notebook’ they were frightened out of their wits; and they opportunities that have not been taken column. said nothing to a soul, for they were afraid…. up for a number of reasons. The Fundamental changes are being Mark 16:1-2; 5-8 meeting has led to the formation, very proposed for the Archdiocese of recently, of a group in Glasgow to Glasgow. This will be a major form of A hundred years ago there were Isles Folk who consider the role of the laity in the reorganisation involving people, places believed that in honour of the Risen One, the church, especially in the light of the and organisations with essential inbuilt sun danced every Easter morning over the floor falling number of priests. We strongly financial implications. As I suggested at of the sky-with mad delight-with laughter. As welcome the idea of ‘concept parish the Edinburgh meeting, surely those who would not to the music of Him who gave and church’ proposed. In prayerful and carrying out these tasks should have an Death his wound. What a madcap fancy! respectful conversation we wish to MBA background. An experienced Possibly. But what a beautiful one as well! Is develop our ideas on the ministry, business as well as a commercial there no breadth and vision, even a reach of administrative and other roles which background. the laity can undertake in their majesty in the faith that sun and wind, mosses Parallel to what might be taking place ‘parishes’, thus freeing the clergy to and flower and sea share in the resurrection joy in a supermarket or any countrywide concentrate on the roles for which they of men, and that men should think it not business? Yes. What I am suggesting is are ordained – celebrating mass, the strange at all. sacrament of reconciliation, preaching the degree of competence which is Alastair Maclean, Hebridean Altars the good news. This would involved in these and other changes. In simultaneously lead to a growth in the Edinburgh, of the churches present, Oh! let us dare to be vulnerable! confidence and spirituality of the laity. only one stated a definite NO to this let us dare to believe that we are as capable What models of ‘parish’ are possible? suggestion. as Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, What is required for this sort of But then as I read in the Notebook and even Jesus. But first we must be collaboration, eg in terms of formation piece, ‘There is no room in the vulnerable and accept our own fear and of laity and priests and structures for consultation for discussing how lay insecurity before the enormous task of working together collaboratively, in people might contribute…’ That quote transformation. Yet still in the face of God’s is, alas, my MBA case. conversation and with mutual respect? grace, we must cherish our possibilities. We are a fledgling group, confident Tom Reilly, Edinburgh It is then, from within our grace-filled trembling, Do you have a view on any of the topics covered in that we dare to step forward in trust and Open House? Or a suggestion for future editions? tenderness to the brokenness of others. God will transform Write to the editor at the address on the back page or email our small hearts into vessels of great grace. [email protected] by Friday 25th April to have We are capable of healing the world. your thoughts included in the May edition. Edwina Gateley, A Mystical Rose Crossroad Publishing 1998

April 2014 OPEN HOUSE 17 offer other than the continuation and function of money. Money is a BOOKS of economic growth without end, means to the good; to treat its accumulation as an ultimate goal How much is enough? Money despite plentiful evidence that the current form of individualistic is a mark of delusion. All that and the Good Life capitalism is entering a anyone needs is enough money to Robert Skidelsky and Edward degenerative phase, maintained live the good life. Skidelsky unchallenged largely for the benefit What, then, is the good life? For Penguin Books 2013 (revised of a predatory plutocracy. A major the Skidelskys, the answer is to be edition) failure of economic theory lies in found in a revived Aristotelian its continued use of GDP as the ethics. The good life consists in a In 1930, at only measure of collective well- number of basic goods. These the time of being. goods are basic because they are the Great Since 2007, we have been sunk in universal, final, sui generis and Depression, another ‘Great Contraction’ and indispensable: their value does not Keynes unemployment is endemic across depend on some further benefit. predicted that the western world. To a non- The goods in question (which are within a economist, ‘the markets’ have examined in greater detail than is hundred taken on the qualities of possible here) are health, security, years, people transcendence, omniscience and respect, personality, harmony with would be able omnipotence more traditionally nature, friendship and leisure (ie to satisfy all associated with divinity, indeed a activity which is undertaken for its their material needs by working a rather fickle and volatile deity own end and not for the sake of fifteen hour week and would whose moods are anxiously something else). A good life is one therefore use their extra leisure to measured by the FTSE100 and the which realises all these basic live ‘wisely and agreeably and Ratings Agencies. ‘The economy’ goods. The authors devote careful well’. Unfortunately, this is said to be in crisis. In response, attention to dealing with relativist prediction has turned out to be governments in Europe and the objections: they are happy to say mistaken: while per capita incomes USA have imposed ‘austerity’, that some ways of life are better rose fourfold in the seventy years presuming that the chief economic than others, independently of from 1930, working hours have problems lie in government budget individual taste and conviction, only fallen to roughly 80% of the deficits which increase national that these ways of life can be 1930 average (though with debts and which can only be identified with some degree of sizeable variations). solved by cutting government certainty, and that the state has the Keynes’ mistake is the starting spending and by some limited tax duty to promote these ways of life point for this investigation by a increases. over others. A life in which a father and son team of authors, an The Skidelskys’ response is driven person exercises autonomy is economist and a philosopher by a moral concern, that we who objectively better than a life of respectively. In their view, his error live in the rich world are incapable slavery (understanding these terms was to assume that material wants of saying ‘enough is enough’ when broadly). Consequently, the state is are naturally finite. Rather, it comes to money. Instead, we are not neutral between rival people’s material wants know no insatiable: individually and conceptions of the good: it must natural bounds: they will expand collectively, we want more than promote autonomy. To enable the without limit unless consciously others have. These authors want individual to live a good life, social restrained. Modern capitalism has to reclaim economics as a moral policies governing working hour provided wealth beyond measure, science, a science of human beings regulation, work-sharing, stricter but it has also taken away its chief in communities. They regard the controls on advertising, an benefit, namely the consciousness pursuit of money as an end in unconditional basic income for all of having enough. Collectively, we itself as mistaken, not only because (which is not to be identified with maintain a system which continues it is detrimental both to happiness the minimum wage), and a to celebrate acquisitiveness at the and to the environment but progressive consumption tax need expense of enjoyment, and our because it rests on a to be introduced. political leaders have nothing to misunderstanding about the nature It seems clear that western

18 OPEN HOUSE April 2014 societies are already living in an Even when Aristotle is viewed conspicuous consumption and unsustainable way both through the lenses of the Jewish/ dispiriting material frugality? environmentally and economically, Christian/Muslim traditions (and Perhaps the value of sufficiency and that by doing so we are the Skidelskys have many positive appeals mainly to those who making the world less secure. The observations to make about already have enough? What kind interests of those whose power Catholic Social Teaching), is it of a society would it be if the rest comes from the control of realistic to look to Aristotle for a of us live virtuously while the 1% diminishing resources are solution to our contemporary exploit the virtuous and the protected by ever-more costly difficulties? The society which resources which we all need? The military and other technologies, Aristotle lived in succeeded and the increased power of multi- economically on the basis of slave authors wonder whether a social national corporations, including labour, and ignored women, an market could emerge to tame the banks, underlines the loss of absence which has persisted neoliberal capitalism without national sovereignty. The current throughout the gendered history of religious sentiments. Such an rhetoric of austerity ignores the economics. Feminists and green appearance, sadly, seems unlikely fact that the budget deficits were economists especially have argued while religious efforts remain more the consequence and not the cause that (typically) women’s unpaid focussed on ameliorating the of the economic contraction, work and the negative impact of effects of the crisis rather than on which was rooted in the behaviour our collective activities on the challenging its causes. This book of financial institutions. Rather environment are excluded from nevertheless provides a stimulus to than acquiescing in the power of standard economic measurements. thinking about the economic and the markets, we need to start with Economic theory consequently political changes required to the vision of a good society and needs to adapt. Other questions enable all to flourish. ask what this then demands from arise. Can ‘sufficiency’ appeal as a the economy. middle way between unrestrained Paul FitzPatrick

Wilderness Walks: the writing reason yet open to the subtle ‘Weather’, we are nature’s of Robert Macfarlane metaphor by which landscape gives barometers. texture and contour to our In many ways Macfarlane is a The Old Ways imagination. modern day homo-viator, a Robert Macfarlane, (Penguin, 2012) Quoting the English elegist wanderer, a cultural nomad ill-at- Edward Thomas’ poem The Path ease in today’s increasingly Robert he reminds us: fragmented society. Yet in his Macfarlane is while men and women return to sentiment and re- a young content themselves with the road grounding of the human person in Cambridge and what they see…..the path, nature ( a trend helped by don whose winding like silver, trickles on …… etymology, where the oldest root of nature writing ... the children wear it the verb to learn is to follow a has received The children carry the path) he reflects a wider cultural widespread significance. Perhaps Thomas’ concern to reassert human affect commercial own, who ran the chalk trails of and connectivity. Recognisable as a and critical the South Downs; they wear the new mood or tone within post- success. Yet in a path both literally and modernism this approach is lecture to introduce The Old Ways symbolically. They create and are sometimes referred to as – the final part of his loose trilogy informed by it – through them the metamodernism. on landscape and the human heart path, winding like silver, trickles Here topics that would have been - he cautioned that this was a on – they open the path as it opens career suicide amidst the hip irony subject around which many them. We too have minds and of previous generations are being readers would ‘scare easily’. A moods porous to our surrounding rehabilitated with artists now keen fugitive concept, veiled to cold as Ted Hughes says simply in to display a sense of the social.

April 2014 OPEN HOUSE 19 One group gathered around the or consolation. The landscape penitential wasteland of ash and web magazine ‘Notes on evokes a post-apocalyptic dead dust. Both are seasons of the heart Metamodernism’ seek to expand zone, a dire warning for those and as such are integral to any the prefix ‘meta’ to mean an who still have time to relearn to realistic application of metanoia. oscillation between variant and value the things we have before we They are also stages of life. sometimes opposing positions. The only know we had them by their Macfarlane is right to reminds us aim is a new eclecticism where loss. that before we attempt to change artistic freedom and social This is a reversal of the classic our heart we should first enlarge responsibility can cohabitate. So postmodernist trajectory towards the one we have. Yet perhaps his now exuberant conferences on absence and lack of meaning; here path ‘winding like silver’ remains a ‘LUV’ sit alongside earnest loss is used as vehicle to re-assert 1 discourse on the management of the value of presence. The father is song of innocence, one followed ‘Common-Pool’ resources. the classic postmodern subject; by children, whereas McCarthy’s This is all great fun, however with devoid of meaning he is dying both desolate straight road is inevitably its turn to sentiment and the literally – through a gunshot part of the adult world of apparent reprioritising toward real wound – and spiritually as he is commitment and experience. The things, some have questioned permeated by a landscape former with its secluded Hebridean whether it is a betrayal of the imposing its vacuous desolation. bays and wild Cornish peninsulas modernist project; in particular Yet two points of light remain. provides a numinous glimpse of postmodernism’s emphatic legacy One is the turn to the other in the heaven, yet it is the latter desert that the world is constructed form of his son. He embodies a that offers a way out of hell. through a language that disguises numinous goodness that Both rest on a renewed reverence its instability, hidden clusters of strengthens the father. The other for real things. Perhaps they sense power and inauthentic confidence comes near the end of the book in what Duns Scotus understood by in authorship. a simple second person address to heacceity, the unique thisness of It was to reassert metamoderism’s the reader. each person and thing. In doing so continuity with this more exacting ‘Once there were brook trout in tradition that Mary Holland the streams in the mountains. You they remind us that the whole produced her invaluable could see them standing in the postmodern critique of language ‘Succeeding Postmodernism – amber current where the white was meant to bring us closer to Language and Humanism in edges of their fins wimpled softly reality rather than drive us further Contemporary American in the flow…On their backs were away. There will always be a Literature’. Here she identifies a vermiculate patterns that were fracture between books and life, stream of affect and connectivity maps of the world in its becoming.’ but good ones come pretty close even in texts at the extreme end of The deceptively simple ‘Once’, and by establishing a community literary theory. The deconstructed announces a striking reversal. of readers they maintain the hope novel emerging as a vehicle for an Once things were different. of a common sympathy. inverted affirmation of real things. Memory regroups into a form of Both use words and in Of particular note is her anamnesis where even the divine Macfarlane’s case, a lot. His trilogy outstanding close reading of can be reaffirmed. Whereas now totalled 300,000 and he admits to Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road’ the landscape is ‘Gray. Silent. binning over a million. A hint where she describes a powerful: Godless.’; through an image turning back to the real, to worthy of Hopkins’ Kingfisher, the perhaps that in life’s most testing asserting the importance, trout’s ‘vermiculate patterns, point moments, words fail. At such significance, and primacy of the to an inscape, a providential times, in the mute groping for material world over the image, ordering that although now absent coherence – a direction, a way - the idea, and representation wrestles back hope from the human heart is revealed in its true Set in a terrifying ‘late world’; desert’s apparent finality’. nobility and who knows, we may that seems ‘both already dead and ‘The Path’ and ‘The Road’ sit well even have begun to pray. not yet done dying’, a nameless with the Christian Lenten 1 father and son travel a barren pilgrimage. One evokes a fecund Blake ‘ Songs of Innocence and Experience’ ashen road seemingly without hope tonic of wildness, the other is a Jim Hart

20 OPEN HOUSE April 2014 is required is external conformity. FILM Rehabilitatation is for the birds. The film ends with the shot of a revolving Starred Up(2014) door just in case anyone had failed to get the point. Director: David Mackenzie In between most of the film is taken Starring: Jack O’Connell, Rupert up with extreme brutality. This is an Friend, Ben Mendelsohn. anachronism. Intimidation now takes more subtle forms. First of all, hand to Open House readers, even if they have hand combat among men in the street never been inside a prison, will be is disappearing. In a world of drones aware how important prisons are to even criminals have wisened up and the economy. All through the 1980s increasingly ‘tool up’ to suit the the average number of those occasion. Secondly the physical imprisoned in Scotland was more or punishment inflicted by not very fit or less 5,000 on any given day. Now it is clever ‘screws’ was eliminated after the over 8,500 and still rising. This is riots of the 1980s. Nor are prisoners despite political claims that all forms left at each other’s mercy. The current of crime are on the decrease. It has just model of imprisonment has been been announced that the biggest imported from the USA. It is called Scottish prison, Barlinnie with a warehousing. By an ever increasing capacity of 1,000, is to be rebuilt to system of surveillance and isolation Christians are exhorted to visit those accommodate twice as many. The local prisoners can be contained safely and in prison or risk hell fire (Matthew MP is looking for assurances that the securely for indefinite periods of time. 25.43). Eric is the kind of prisoner new building will remain in his Their clothes are clean and their food who would benefit from the gospel of constituency because of the number of nutritious. They may even have in-cell mercy. First of all he has nobody to jobs involved. Starred Up is the story TV but their minds are wasted. visit him which puts him at risk of of a father and son for whom this Apart from the violence Scottish being exploited by other prisoners. system is designed. director David Mackenzie is more Also, being visited, especially by Eric is a 19 year old Young Offender successful in exploring the father - son church associated strangers, puts staff who because of his incorrigible relationship. Young Eric naturally more on the alert about their own violence is transferred to an adult hopes his father can afford him some responsibilities. For this reason the film prison where his father is a long term protection. Old Neville obviously can be recommended to Open House resident. The opening scene is a classic thinks he can stop his son following in readers. Potential prison volunteers demonstration of how prisons ‘work’. his footsteps. He says the mother was should not be put off by the myth of Eric conforms to every brusque useless. Eric says he didn’t have one. violence. They are more likely to find command but is no sooner inside his The increasing number brought up in themselves meeting a recidivist like the new cell than he has fashioned and care now form a significant part of the one who, having robbed a pensioner of concealed a weapon. In prison all that prison population. The catalyst is the a pound coin and a can of lager with a violence reduction knife recently received a sentence of six unit. This is conducted and a half years from our co-religionist by a do-gooding Lord Uist who told him: ‘The time volunteer (which is has now come for you to receive a also unlikely). The lengthy prison sentence in order to programme does allow provide the public with some respite Eric to grow up a from your criminal activities’. (The little, at least to the Herald 15.02.14). level of saying sorry Perhaps the public needs respite and thanks. ’Nev’ from this approach. With respect to doesn’t understand the referendum the expansion of this. Eric begins to imprisonment in Scotland has kept have some feelings for pace with that in England. There his dad. Unfortunately doesn’t seem to be much discussion dad has been inside as to whether independence would long enough to able to offer alternatives to custody, not least get a cell mate who for the most vulnerable. Director David Mackenzie (centre) flanked by actors fulfils his emotional Rupert Friend (left) and actor Jack O’Connell (right). needs. Norman Barry

April 2014 OPEN HOUSE 21 As it is in Heaven (2004) slick American productions. As it is in Heaven is an antidote to sun Director: Kay Pollak baked locations and carefully Starring: Michael Nyqvist, Frida scripted endings. Hallgren, Helen Sjöholm It has its darker moments but is Not so much new release as an optimistic and life affirming recently discovered. This is one film about the power of music to for those of us who have become heal and the capacity of Daniel Daréus (Michael Nyqvist) motivates his choir. hooked on a steady diet of communities to support and ‘Nordic noire’ dramas and encourage each other. Daniel, a involved in music making in a conquered our resistance to successful conductor, returns to group, or any other community subtitles. Why the fascination for his childhood home where he activity, this film accurately all things Scandinavian has taken was bullied to ‘create music that reflects the sense of mutual off to the extent it has is hard to will open a person’s heart’. He support and achievement. It is explain. Perhaps it is the gloomy takes charge of the village choir not all happy ever after (it weather and the sometimes and the confidence he passes on wouldn’t be a Scandinavian film gloomy subject matter that percolates through to their lives if it was) but it is well worth strikes a chord with British outside the choir. viewing. One for a wet weekend. audiences fed a constant diet of For anyone who has ever been Florence Boyle

music speaks of God and love exquisite ornamentations. The MUSIC and peace between people — all kaleidoscopic mosque and the timeless, universal sentiments, rugged Viking church. Dialogue and therefore will always be Javed and Sondre decided to Javed Bashir & Sondre Bratland: heard’. record their dialogue, and so Sondre Bratland is famous in began this album. They wanted Kirkelig Kulturverksted Norway as a folk singer and a to record in sacred places in FXCD 308 leading singer of traditional Pakistan, Norway and Syria. The Norwegian hymns. On a journey mausoleum of the 17th century to Pakistan, Sondre met Javed, Mughal emperor Jahangir was a and they recognised in each other symbolic place to start, because kindred spirits. Together they Jahangir was a lavish patron of visited mosques in Lahore where the arts who showed great they sang songs and hymns from tolerance towards Hindus, their different religious Christians and Jews. Jahangir traditions. They sang to each was buried in Lahore. Javed and other call-and-response: a Sondre recorded ‘Hope’ and ‘I Muslim devotional couplet Am You’ beside his tomb, at answering a Christian religious sunset with the crickets singing refrain; a Christian hymn in the background. counterpointing Sufi mystical Sondre sings the Norse words poetry. The religious repertoires of Olav Hauge: ‘This is our of the two singers are well- dream….that time will open, that Javed Bashir is a Pakistani singer. matched, both expressing a hearts will open, that doors will His singing is influenced by longing for union with God. The open, that the mountains will Qawwali, a style of Muslim voices complement each other. open, that we one morning will devotional music, associated Sondre’s older, deeper, sonorous, ride in upon a wave that we with the Sufi Muslim traditions meditative voice is like water never heard of.’ Javed replies of India and Pakistan. Javed from an ancient well. Javed’s with the 16th century words of says: ‘The inherent poetry in Sufi sweet, youthful, soaring tenor Shah Hussein: ‘God you are music has made it popular. Sufi voice has astonishing range and present inside me and outside,

22 OPEN HOUSE April 2014 you are in every part of my skin.’ brightly coloured inside and Sondre sings the traditional (‘Hope’) outside, overlooking a small lake Norse hymn: ‘After the darkened The next recording place was between high snow-covered roads of desert, The land of Masjid Wazir Khan, a beautiful mountains. ‘Praise’ was recorded promise is next to come’. Javed mosque in the centre of the old there. sings back in Urdu: ‘Everyone walled city of Lahore, and a The final leg of Javed and bows before You at prayer times. place of continuous worship. Sondre’s journey took them to When I came out of ignorance, I Here they recorded ‘God’s Damascus. The Umayyad saw that You are present Presence’ and ‘To Find The Mosque is a huge basilica built everywhere and in every person’. Path’. around 850 on the foundations (‘Following’). Javed sings a 17th century song of an old Byzantine church. The Grand Mufti Dr Ahmad of self-admonishment by Bulhe grave of John the Baptist is there, Hassoun wrote this in his letter Shah: ‘You have exhausted as is the grave of Hussein, the to Pope Francis last year: ‘Maybe yourself with learning from grandson of the Prophet we can stop the fire of those who books, but you have never tried Mohammed. Sondre and Javed want to destroy the land of to know your self. You enter the asked the Grand Mufti Dr Abraham, Moses, Jesus, mosque or the temple routinely, Ahmad Hassoun for permission Muhammad. Let us remain, but you have never entered your to record music in the most hand in hand in spreading peace inner self. You fruitlessly fight sacred place in Syria. The Grand and security for all peoples of the Satan. Bulhe Shah, you catch Mufti met the singers and said: world, to counter the extremists that fly in the sky: but you never ‘Music follows all of us through and divisions on the basis of catch the one who sits in your life from the sound of lullabies to religion or ethnicity. We continue house.’ Sondre replies with a the grieving lament at the grave. our journey in the footsteps of hymn by John Henry Newman: And God is the greatest the Prophets, Saints, the ‘I wander in darkness far away composer of all, having created righteous and the men of good from my home. Lead me on! You the sound of the wind through will. May you remain, Your know so well that I did not the crown of the trees, and the Holiness under the protection, always pray like this. Lead me sound of the sea against the guidance and Providence of God, on! I wanted to choose my way shore’. The Grand Mufti blessed so together we reach the fullness myself, but now: lead me on! I the project. For the Syrian of faith and light’. was proud and stubborn with recordings, Javed and Sondre Paul Matheson haughtiness – Oh, forget that had the additional time of folly!’ (‘To Find The accompaniment of the nine-man Path’). Peace Choir of Damascus. In Reviewers Next, they went to Oslo, large side chapels during two late Norman Barry is the pen name of Norway, and the church of evenings when the activity of the well known and long time Gamle Aker, the oldest building mosque had subsided, they reviewer for Open House. in the capital, built of stone in recorded ‘Heaven’, ‘Following’, Florence Boyle is a lawyer who the Romanesque style in the 12th ‘Morning Hymn’, ‘Who Am I?’ worked in the financial services century. They recorded ‘The and ‘Across the River’. sector. Source’ and ‘Unity With God’ Javed sings the 16th century Paul FitzPatrick is a retired teacher there. Then they recorded Punjabi words of Shah Hussein: of Religious Studies and an ‘Devotion’ in the biggest ‘Across the river lives the Lover. aspiring commentator on the medieval wooden church in I must go as I have a construction of ‘religion’. Norway, the Heddal Stave commitment to keep. I am Jim Hart is a househusband who Church, built around 1250. This begging the boatman to take me formerly worked in health. He is a building displays beautiful over’. And Sondre replies: member of the Oneir spirituality woodcarving from the age of the ‘Watchman, will the night soon group. Vikings. Then they went to come to an end? Like the deer Paul Matheson is an equality and Sondre’s home town of Vinje, from thirst we suffer. Oh let the diversity adviser for the police, and and its small, wooden, cross- morning soon break!’ (‘Across a music reviewer. shaped church from the 1700s, the River’).

April 2014 OPEN HOUSE 23 Moments in time OPEN HOUSE The sun has just fence, which is not large and could Board members: risen from the easily be crossed, on our left. The golf Florence Boyle (Treasurer); sea as we set course is attractively landscaped with Ian Fraser; Elizabeth Kearney; Jim McManus (Chair); out for an early scattered trees, several water courses Jennifer Stark; Michael Turnbull. morning walk and pools, complete with ducks and on the coast of swans, and even some heather. The Editorial advisory group: Angus. Far Linden Bicket; Charles Gay; Honor military area beyond the fence has away to the south we can see the Hania; Lynn Jolly; higher sand dunes, some covered by coast of Fife around St Andrews. Willy Slavin. There has been a frost, the first I have pine trees, interspersed with low lying Editor: Mary Cullen seen since before Christmas, and the boggy areas. A curlew flies off and a [email protected] grass is white and the puddles have a couple of reed buntings are singing Arts editor: Lynn Jolly thin coat of ice. We come to a large from low bushes. [email protected] sign at the entrance to the Carnoustie The warmth of the sun’s rays has Open House is published ten times Championship Golf Course. I am removed the ground frost and the sky a year. We welcome letters and surprised to see that it is very is cloudless; this is the sort of day I contributions, which should be welcoming notice, which informs sent to the editor by the last have dreamed about during the long Friday of the month before walkers that they can walk almost weeks of grey, wet weather this publication. Articles should be no anywhere on the course but to take winter. The sandy soil means that more than 1200 words long, and care of flying golf balls. As well as there is no mud as yesterday’s rain reviews no more than 800 words. some early dog walkers, there are Letters and articles may be edited or has already drained away. Then, a several men working on the course held over for future editions. small brown bird flies up into the sky, soon after 7am. The opinions and ideas expressed filling the air with song, then another We follow the coast for a short by all our contributors are their distance until we come to a fence and and another. We stop and listen, own and not accepted as those of another less welcoming sign warning entranced by the skylarks, one of the Open House. visitors that this is the Barry Buddon harbingers of Spring, as they rise All correspondence about the Rifle Range and that access is higher and higher into the blue sky. content of Open House to the editor: prohibited when red flags are flying, Mary Cullen, 66 Cardross Rd, which they are today. We turn inland Tim Rhead Dumbarton G82 4JQ along a track which follows the edge Tim Rhead is a pastoral assistant in tel: 07909 594797 of the golf course with the boundary the Episcopal Church. www.openhousescotland.co.uk SUBSCRIBE!

I wish to subscribe to Open House and enclose a cheque for £25. Additional donations are welcome.

Name ……………………………………………………………………...…...…...…...…...….....……………………..

Address ………………………………………………………………………...…...…...…...…...…...…...……………..

……………………………………...... ……….. Postcode …………………………………….....………

Tel …………………………………………… email …....…...... ……………………………………

Please send this form with a cheque made payable to Open House to: Mary Cullen, 66 Cardross Road, Dumbarton G82 4JQ. Thank you. Printing: Let’s Talk Print, Macadam Pl., Dundee. Tel: 01382 823000. Email: [email protected] Design: Iain MacPherson Design. Tel: 0141 639 8922. 24 OPEN HOUSE April 2014 Email: [email protected]