Pope Is United in Prayer with Victims of Terrorist Attack
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
When a photograph is worth a thousands words, and the kind of heart-warming news you are looking for—such as the adventures of Bishop John Keenan, left, in Uganda with St Andrew’s Academy pupils (see page 22)—does not seem to be hitting the headlines, then make sure to pick up your SCO throughout summer for all the pilgrimage and celebrating life moments in photographs. No 5627 VISIT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER ONLINE AT WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK Friday July 3 2015 | £1 Pope is united in prayer with victims of terrorist attack I Holy Father expresses solidarity with those who have suffered after gunman’s rampage in Tunisia By Ian Dunn POPE Francis has expressed his solidarity with victims of Friday’s terror attacks in Tunisia. As the SCO went to press, a total of 30 Britons are thought to have died in a gunman’s attack on a tourist resort of Sousse, with Scots among the dead. Dozens more people have been reported injured. Tunisian authorities have arrested several people on suspicion of helping the gunman Seifeddine Rezgui, McQuire were members of the Church of Scotland who had links to the jihadist group Islamic State (ISIS). congregation. In a telegram to the Tunisian Government, the “I don’t think I can make any sense of it at all,” the Holy Father said he was united in prayer with the Rev Joyce Keyes said. “My feeling is of numbness. relatives of the victims. He prayed, too, for the They were regular holiday goers since their retirement souls of those who perished in the attacks, and and were really looking forward to it.” offered his condolences to those who were Billy and Lisa Graham are being mourned in wounded and to their families, praying that the their hometown of Bankfoot, Perth and Kinross. Lord might give them ‘comfort and consolation in “We are saddened about what the potential is,” their trials.’ The telegram was sent by Vatican Councillor John Kellas, who lives in the same Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. street as the couple, said, prior to confirmation of The Pope (above right) condemned yet again their deaths. “We haven’t heard fully yet but we ‘the violence which causes so much suffering’ and are saddened by that prospect. prayed that God ‘might grant the gift of peace.’ He “In the community of Bankfoot, everybody sent ‘divine blessings’for the families of the victims. feels touched by this tragedy. But nevertheless there are lots of people who sympathise with the Victims notion of supporting Tunisia and its efforts to find So far 38 people are thought to have died in a middle ground within that area.” Sousse, a Tunisian beach resort—with that figure Glasgow Churches Together (GCT), the city’s expected to rise—after Mr Rezgui, a 23-year-old leading group uniting Christian denominations student, opened fire. including the Catholic Church, also expressed its Billy and Lisa Graham, from Bankfoot, condolences after the terror attack on tourists in Perthshire, died in the attack, and Cumbernauld Tunisia. couple Jim and Ann McQuire were later confirmed “We are united in sorrow and in prayer for the to be among those killed by Mr Rezgui before he victims of the horrendous atrocities in Tunisia and was fatally shot by Tunisian police. Mr Rezgui’s in a special way with their families and loved father, who has been detained for questioning, has ones,” GCT said in a statement. “We pray for said that he is ‘ashamed’ of his son’s actions and those who witnessed the attack and those who so wished ‘it had never happened.’ courageously came to the aid of others. Words can PILGRIMAGE FOR SCOTTISH QUEEN Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has sent her ‘sincere fail us on hearing such tragic news, but we recognise condolences’ to the families of those killed in the the importance of prayer and togetherness in our beach massacre. The Queen said she and the Duke support for all those affected.” WHO SET UP SUNDAY AS REST DAY of Edinburgh were ‘shocked’ by the attack and also offered their ‘deepest sympathy’ to the injured. I [email protected] More than a thousand pilgrims gathered in Dunfermline on Sunday to celebrate the life of St Margaret of Scotland Yard has said its investigation into the Scotland. The summer pilgrimage, an annual event up until 1974, was re-established this year by Archbishop attack is likely to be one of the largest counter- Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh, and saw Catholics and non-Catholics explore the life of the 11th terrorism deployments since the London 7/7 century saint and wife of King Malcolm III of Scotland. bombings in 2005, which killed 52. Other countries St Margaret, mother of St David, is known for her virtue, piety and love. She is credited with encouraging affected by the shooting include Belgium, the observance of Sunday as a day of rest. In 1250 she was Canonised by Pope Innocent IV, and her remains Germany, Ireland and Ukraine. were reinterred in a shrine at Dunfermline Abbey. St Margaret was declared Patroness of Scotland in 1673. Before celebrating Mass in St Margaret’s Church, Archbishop Cushley lead pilgrims through the streets of Prayers in Scotland the town, carrying the relic of St Margaret (above.) Report, see page 4-5 PIC: PAUL McSHERRY Prayers were said last Sunday at Abronhill Parish Church in Cumbernauld where Jim and Ann SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT I tel 0141 221 4956 I fax 0141 221 4546 I e-mail [email protected] 2 PICTURE NEWS SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY JULY 3 2015 Service of 60 years for Fr O’Rourke Fr Frank O'Rourke recently celebrated the 60th anniversary (diamond jubilee) of his Priesthood.At 87 years of age, he is still tirelessly and faithfully serving the Lord and his people at St Michael's, Parkhead, according to AGAP,a group grateful for his support. Fr O’Rourke is seen here with Archbishop Emeritus Mario Conti and brother priests in Glasgow Fr Stephen Baillie celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving with Bishop Joseph Toal of Motherwell as he marked 25 years in the priesthood.The priest was joined by friends and family— including his mum and dad Jim and Jean—clergy from Paisley and Bishop Emeritus John Mone at the Mass held in his parish of St Charles’, Paisley. Bishop John Keenan sent a message of congratulations telling Fr Baillie that ‘probably since the day you were born you were born to be a priest,’ and that he thinks there must be three Fr Baillie’s because he hasn’t seen one person do as much work as he does PIC: PAUL McSHERRY Bishop Toal makes clergy changes in Motherwell MGR THOMAS MILLER has been appointed as admin- istrator of St Bride’s in Cam- buslang (right) in clergy changes announced in Moth- erwell Diocese this week. Mgr Millar, who is also administrator of Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral and parish priest at St Luke’s in Mother- well, will take over from acting administrator Fr James O’Kane, who is facing driving offences. Fr O’Kane had taken over the parish to the diocese from from Fr Paul Morton, who was the Salesian Order. placed on leave following alle- Fr Martin Delaney will gations of historical abuse. become coordinating chaplain of Police Scotland found Fr Morton Cardinal Newman High, Taylor had no case to answer and High, and Our Lady’s High— Bishop Joseph Toal has asked leading and forming chaplaincy for patience as he follows Vati- teams—and will be resident in can procedure on moving for- the Cathedral Chapel House, ward following allegations made assisting Mgr Millar. Glasgow says it with flowers for SCIAF against a priest. Local people are Fr Frank King will become petitioniong for Fr Morton’s parish priest of St Aidan’s, GLASGOW City Council has ers got their first glimpse when beautiful and we hope it reminds The charity gives emergency aid return. Wishaw, and St Mary’s, Cleland, created a floral display in Glas- they recently visited the floral dis- people that they’ve helped mil- and practical long term support In other appointments, Fr Bill from the beginning of gow’s Victoria Park to mark play at its home in the Scotstoun lions of families to have a better such as farming tools, seeds and Bergin will be administrator of September. SCIAF’s 50th anniversary and park. chance in life and hope for the training. St Bride’s, East Kilbride, from Canon Joe Clements and Fr recognise its life-changing SCIAF DirectorAlistair Dutton future.” In Scotland it brings together Saturday July 25. Dick Rogers are retiring from work in some of the poorest said: “This is a wonderful way to The floral display is on show at people in parishes, schools and Fr Owen Ness will become active ministry. countries in the world. mark our work over 50 years. Victoria Park in Glasgow. individual supporters, to lobby parish priest of the parish of St The future pastoral provision Blue and white flowers are We’re grateful for the time and SCIAF works with people liv- governments and big business Benedict’s and St Clare’s, East- for St Thomas’ in Wishaw will arranged in the shape of the Scot- effort Glasgow City Council and ing with poverty, hunger, war and with campaigns to address the erhouse, from Saturday August be announced later along with tish Catholic International Aid its staff have put in to making this disasters, across 15 countries in causes of global poverty and 8, following the handing over of other appointments.