Government Rejects Anti-Catholic Petition

SCES Director Michael McGrath, Leonardo Franchi, head of the St Andrew’s Foundation, and a host of other voices shine a light on CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK as primary school award is launched. Pages 9-15 No 5557 VISIT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER ONLINE AT WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK Friday February 21 2014 | £1 We must value the Catholic education system in Scotland By Archbishop Philip Tartaglia Education Week exclusive ONE of the most pleasant tasks of being Archbishop of Glasgow, is the opportunity to visit our Catholic schools. Sometimes the occasion will be an anniversary, a feast day, it might even be a new building opening, but what mat- ters most is not the event or the location. It is the staff, parents and pupils I meet. I often return from those visits deeply impressed at each of those groups in turn. The staff in our schools, primary and secondary, perform often quite heroic work in ‘going the extra mile’ for their pupils. Not only in preparing them academically, but also in a pas- Catholic schooling. Often they will And of course, who could visit one commitment to the Church and Her ers—I remember Miss Keatings as a toral role; supporting young people share their own memories—recollec- of our Catholics schools and not be teachings. great character in primary and Mr during difficult moments in their tions of their First Communion day impressed by the pupils? Be they Like most people, I have fond McConville and Mr McDermott as lives, and providing a positive adult or their Confirmation—and they want shiny new primary ones, fidgeting memories of my Catholic school- being great influences in secondary. role model of faith. for their children what they received, and giggling as they sing the new ing—at St Thomas’ Primary in Rid- Our Catholic education nurtured When a school Mass is organised it namely a strong supportive faith- hymn they have just learned, or drie, Glasgow and then St Mungo’s the faith that was born in the family— is common for me to meet some of filled environment which will prepare highly impressive young adults— Academy. The school was like an the parents of the school. Again, I am their sons and daughters for the pres- sixth-formers with a developed social extension of the home for us. My par- I Continued on page 12 often moved by their commitment to sures of adult life. conscience, an inquiring mind and a ents entrusted us to memorable teach- PIC: PAUL McSHERRY Government rejects anti-Catholic petition I MSPs called to task for not challenging bias of bid to oust religious reps from education committees By Ian Dunn “That language should have been challenged,” Mr isters support the involvement of religious repre- from education committees has also been con- McGrath said. “Do we really want this to be the tone sentatives in the decision-making process by coun- demned by parents and parents’ groups. of the debate? I think the Catholic community needs cils in relation to education and do not have any Mhairi Lloyd, chairwoman of the parent council MSPS on the Scottish Parliament’s Petitions to know MSPs aren’t always responding appropri- plans to change the existing provisions.’ of St Leonard’s Primary School, East Kilbride, Committee have been roundly condemned for ately to this kind of statement.” Shirley Jackson, the Scottish Government’s pol- says in her submission to the committee that ‘rep- putting out to consultation an education peti- The Scottish Catholic Education Service, in its icy officer, said that the make up of council edu- resentatives are from mainly Christian organisa- tion that contained anti-Catholic language official response to the committee’s decision, said it cation committees is a matter for the councils. tions as the majority of Scottish people describe without challenging it. was ‘disappointed’MSPs failed to challenge the use The Scottish Government will also closely themselves as Christian.’ The Scottish Government last week found that of such ‘offensive and inflammatory language.’ examine the forthcoming member’s bill proposed “For a country, whose education system is the petition by the Secular Society of Edinburgh— “Such rhetoric feeds only the baser instincts of by John Finnie MSP, she added. Mr Finnie’s pro- admired all around the world, it seems detrimental which seeks to bar religious representatives from some in our society who need little encouragement posals would remove ‘the statutory obligation on to the fundamentals of our Scottish education sys- council education committees—had no merit. The to express anti-Catholic sentiments,” the SCES councils to appoint religious representatives to tem that the religious beliefs of our country be committee, however, has still to make its recom- response says. education committees and remove voting rights ignored,” she adds. mendation and a member’s bill is also likely to “These claims do a great disservice to Catholics from unelected members of all council commit- raise the issue again in the near future. who have contributed greatly to the welfare of this tees, as well as making other provisions regarding I Report praises religious education in Catholic country. Scotland needs and deserves a more how councils conduct their proceedings.’ schools, page 3 Unjustifiable claims civilised and enlightened public discourse. In stoop- The Rev David Robertson, Free Church of Scot- The original petition displayed particular hostility ing to such tactics and language, the petitioner brings land minister in Dundee and director of the Solas I [email protected] to Catholic representatives, alleging their loyalty no credit to himself or to his cause.” Centre for Public Christianity, said the Govern- to Scotland was suspect as they were representa- Fr Paul Brooks of the Catholic Parliamentary ment’s intervention was timely and wise. tives of a ‘foreign power based in Rome.’ Despite Office said that he had also been alarmed by com- “We are delighted that the Scottish Government this petition language being compared to anti- ments made by MSPs while considering the peti- has refused to bow to the secularist agenda and Catholic tracts of the 1920s, the petitions commit- tion as ‘some of the contributions made by the continues to uphold the historic agreement tee did not question it when agreeing in January to members of the committee were themselves very between the churches and the state in Scottish look further into the issue. disappointing and revealed a mentality that is schools,” Mr Robertson said. Michael McGrath, director of the Scottish very troubling.’ “They clearly recognise the valuable part that Catholic Education Service (SCES), said he the churches have to play.” believed parliamentarians had a responsibility to Dismissal, further push challenge ‘unjustifiable claims’ and they had The petition was last week dismissed in the Scot- Parental concerns failed to do so in this case. tish Government’s response, which state that ‘min- The petition to remove religious representation SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT I tel 0141 221 4956 I fax 0141 221 4546 I e-mail [email protected] 2 WHAT’S ON SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21 2014 What’s On A weekly guide to upcoming Church events SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23 Mgr Patrick Burke. Turnbull I SCIAF meeting to unveil Hall, Glasgow University Lenten WEE BOX Appeal. Chaplaincy, 13-15 Southpark 12.30-2.30pm in St Mary’s Terrace, Glasgow. 7.30pm. Cathedral (lower hall), Aimed at young people aged Aberdeen. Lunch provided. 16-25. Call 0141 354 5555. I Newman Association talk I Remembering Service. 5pm by the Rev John Miller. The in St John the Baptist’s former Moderator of the Church, 37 St Ninian’s Road, General Assembly of the Corstorphine, Edinburgh, Church of Scotland and Minister EH12 8AL. A service for those of Castlemilk East Parish for who have suffered the death of 37 years will speak on “What a child from the beginning of Happened to Ecumenism?” pregnancy onwards, whether Ogilvie Centre, St Aloysius’ recently or at an earlier time, Church, Garnethill at 7.30pm. providing an opportunity to Admission £3, includes light participate in a formal refreshments. acknowledgement of their grief. Those who wish to come FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28 in love and support are also I Bicentenary information A happy homecoming for Archbishop Cushley most welcome. Representa- event, St Mary’s Cathedral, tives from organisations that Edinburgh. 7pm-9pm. You are By Martin Dunlop still lives in the parish and his brother was celebrated his silver jubilee at the church in provide counselling for still- invited to come along and hear married at St John the Baptist Church. 2010, said. “The archbishop spoke very well births, miscarriages, and abor- about all the events, which ARCHBISHOP Leo Cushley of St Fr Dominic Towey, parish priest at St John to the children. He told them that he recalled tions will be present and have so far been planned for Andrews and Edinburgh returned to his the Baptist, was delighted to welcome Arch- being Confirmed himself at St John the Bap- available after the service. this historic year. Admission is home parish in Uddingston on Sunday to bishop Cushley. They were joined by Marie tist Church and that he never thought he’d be free. Wine and cheese will be celebrate Mass for the Confirmation of Beacom, headteacher of St John the Baptist back here Confirming youngsters from his I Royal Foundlings. Christian served and there will be an children from the local primary school. Primary School, and 38 pupils who received own primary school.” Rock Group performing at opportunity to meet other It was an emotional visit to St John the the Sacrament of Confirmation.

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