MOTHERWELL DIOCESAN launch of The Wayside Club cares for This is Our Faith RE curriculum leaves the homeless not only at standing room only at Our Lady of Christmas but 365 days of the year Good Aid Cathedral. Page 5 GERARD GOUGH reports. Pages 12-13 No 5446 http://www.sconews.co.uk Friday December 16 2011 | £1 ANTI-CATHOLIC BIGOTRY GOVERNMENT BILL must be starting point, not end game in tackling problem, says Church Page 3 INSIDE YOUR SCO NEWS pages 1-9 OPINION pages 10-11 FEATURES pages 12-13, 21 LETTERS page 14 COLUMNISTS page 15, 22 INTIMATIONS pages 17-20 BISHOPS’ ENGAGEMENTS Scotland fails homosexual people page 20 CHILDREN’S LITURGY page 23 I Cardinal O’Brien blames society, civil partnership law as government looks to redefine marriage CELEBRATING LIFE page 24 By SCO reporters interests of our society,” he said. “The pletely out of order. No government on Cardinal Keith O’Brien speaks outside the POPE TO VISIT CUBA empirical evidence is clear, same-sex earth has the right to change the nature of Scottish Parliament at the launch of the CARDINAL Keith O’Brien has said relationships are demonstrably harmful marriage which was instituted by God.” Scotland for Marriage interfaith campaign that Scottish society has ‘failed’ to the medical, emotional and spiritual against changing the legal definition of because it has encouraged relation- wellbeing of those involved, no com- Clarification request what constitutes marriage from a union ships between people of the same sex. passionate society should ever enact Cardinal O’Brien and Bishop Philip between a man and a woman Britain’s most senior Catholic cler- legislation to facilitate or promote such Tartaglia are still waiting for confirma- PIC: PAUL McSHERRY gyman was speaking after campaigners relationships, we have failed those who tion from the Scottish Government on from the Catholic Parliamentary Office struggle with same-sex attraction and whether or not foreign submissions to campaign handed in more than 28,000 wider society by our actions.” the consultation will be accepted. Scottish Government responses opposing the legalisation of The foreword of the consultation A Scottish Government spokeswoman same-sex ‘marriage’ before the Scottish Interfaith campaign said that views on whether or not the said only that the government would Government’s consultation closed last Cardinal O’Brien has led opposition to definition of marriage should be now consider the consultation. Friday night. redefining marriage in what has been one changed would be sought from ‘all sec- “The government will now analyse In total the consultation has received of the most successful interfaith cam- tions of Scottish society.’ However pro the responses and consider what steps more than 50,000 submissions, one of paigns in Scottish history, with members same-sex ‘marriage’ lobbying groups to take next,” she said. “As was made the largest responses ever prompted by of the Catholic Church, Church of Scot- urged their supporters to submit clear when the consultation was a Scottish Government consultation land, other Christian churches and the responses whether or not they live in launched, while we have expressed our with the response in opposition partic- Jewish and Muslim communities coming Scotland. The Scottish Government has initial view, we have given an assur- HOLY FATHER ularly strong from Catholics and other together to oppose moves to open mar- suggested that such responses would be ance that all opinions will be listened religious groups. riage to same-sex couples. Of the more accepted but identified separately. to. No final views have been reached announces plan for trip, Cardinal O’Brien said unless the than 28,000 postcards handed over on In his letter, Cardinal O’Brien has and therefore no decisions have been including stop in campaign against same-sex ‘marriage’ Friday, in excess of 4000 came from the said the consultation would be ‘utterly taken. The analysis of the responses was successful Catholics would face Scottish Muslim community. subverted’ if foreign submission were will be published in the spring.” Mexico, in the spring ‘further challenges including the likeli- Dr Salah Beltagui of the Muslim accepted. hood that Catholic teachers will be pro- Council of Scotland said the Scottish “Allowing thousands of respondents Gerald Warner on the sanctity of Page 9 hibited from passing on Gospel values.’ Islamic community were in agreement outwith Scotland to actively participate Marriage, page 10 He said that the current consultation with the Catholic Church on this issue. in our political process utterly subverts and the need for response were a direct “We are totally against the ideas of this stance,” the cardinal said. “Even to English and Welsh bishops result of the ill effects caused by the same-sex couples getting married,” he collate and separately identify non- criticised over their stance on Scottish Parliament’s decision to enact said. “God created man and he created Scottish responses would be to under- redefining marriage, page 7 civil partnership legislation in 2004. woman so they could marry and have mine the singular sovereignty of the “These measures were not in the best families. Same-sex ‘marriages’ are com- Scottish people.” I [email protected] SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT I tel 0141 221 4956 I fax 0141 221 4546 e-mail [email protected] 2 PICTURE NEWS SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday December 16 2011 Cardinal O’Brien makes it a knight to remember in Moodiesburn By Tom Knight last year. This was one of a pair and he had placed prize being a night for two people at the Beardmore (Above left) Cardinal Keith O’Brien draws the raffle as the other one round Pope Benedict XVI’s neck dur- Hotel in Clydebank. Cardinal O’Brien immediately Michelle McManus and VIPs look on. (Above) The cardi- THE Knights of St Columba gathered at the ing their journey from Holyrood Palace to the car- announced that he would pass the prize on to pho- nal presents the St Ninian’s tartan scarf that he wore Columba Club, Moodiesburn, last week with dinal’s residence. tographer Paul McSherry and his wife, in recogni- during last year’s Papal visit to raffle winner Anthony Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Michelle McManus His Eminence attended in person at Moodies- tion of Mr McSherry’s unfailing support to him. O’Neill in the presence of Supreme Knight Ron Lynch and VIPs to make the draw for the raffle they burn to draw the winning ticket, which had been Cardinal O’Brien thanked the Knights of St PICS: PAUL McSHERRY had organised in aid of HCPT the Pilgrimage purchased by Anthony O’Neill from Clydebank. Columba for their efforts to raise funds for charity Trust. Many other prizes, including a holiday, a signed and said he had been glad to donate the scarf when Cardinal O’Brien had donated and authenticated Celtic jersey and an iPad were also awarded. the order promised to use the proceeds to support Bishops of Scotland for joining with them in the the St Ninian’s tartan scarf, the one he wore in the To the considerable amusement of all present, a his favourite charity, the HCPT. marriage campaign and the question of morality Popemobile when the Holy Father visited Scotland ticket purchased by the cardinal was then drawn; the He also thanked the knights on behalf of the and not just in Scotland but throughout the UK. A Christmas blessing in Glasgow Aberdeen’s crib helps light up Advent THE blessing of the crib at of Glasgow City Council, rep- Archbishop Mario Conti, Bob Winter, George Square in Glasgow resentatives of the Christian the Lord Provost, religious leaders BISHOP Hugh Gilbert of (Main left to right) Councillor Jennifer menical Team and children from took place on Wednesday Churches of Glasgow including and children from St Francis and Aberdeen was in attendance Stewart, Bishop Hugh Gilbert, Cate the three Catholic primary December 7 at 5.30pm. Archbishop Mario Conti, who Blackfriars Primary Schools at the for the blessing of the Christ- Adams, city centre chaplain and schools and Robert Gordon Col- Lord Provost of Glasgow blessed the crib. crib blessing in Glasgow’s George mas crib, which is on display councillor Martin Greig. (Inset) The lege along with Councillors Jen- Bob Winter led the proceedings The children from the Gor- Square PIC: PAUL McSHERRY in Aberdeen city centre. crib scene in the city centre nifer Stewart and Martin Greig. for his fifth and last time as bals Children’s Choir, made up The crib was purchased by Lord Provost. of pupils from St Francis Pri- Primary School, took part in Aberdeen City Council for the The blessing was attended by I Bishop Gilbert’s pastoral letter He was joined by members mary School and Blackfriars the celebrations. people of the city. members of the Regional Ecu- on silence, page 14 FIND AND LIKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON... SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER PAGE ON The Annual St Vincent de Paul Society FACEBOOK Christmas Mass for parishioners of St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh was celebrated on December 3 by Cardinal Keith EWTN CATHOLIC TV IS ON SKY EPG 589 O’Brien and Mgr Michael Regan. Follow- Sky Freesat £175 total cost , no monthly charges. ing the celebrations, 200 Free channels including EWTN TV & Radio. members of SVDP Call Sky on 08442411602 for installation. joined local pensioners Call EWTN on 020 83502542 or e-mail [email protected] and parishioners for a for free monthly posted programme guide and Christmas meal PIC: PAUL McSHERRY visit www.ewtn.co.uk formoreinfo. Friday December 16