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BISHOP EMERITUS LOGAN leads what is SCIAF reports that Scots saved likely to be his last diocesan pilgrimage thousands of lives after the Horn to Lourdes following his early retirement of Africa drought by making as Bishop of Dunkeld. Pages 22-23 £1 million in donations. Pag e 3 No 5479 www.sconews.co.uk Friday August 10 2012 | £1 WINDOW SNP Marriage bill poses a threat to ON 100TH religious freedom EVENTS AT By Ian Dunn PARISH CARDINAL Keith O’Brien has written to Deputy First Minister Nicola Young St Joseph’s, Helensburgh, Sturgeon warning her that she risks parishioners Hannah Thomson destroying religious liberty in Scotland 10, Amy Gough 13, Connor Press by insisting upon legalising same-sex and Catechist Jenny Gallagher ‘marriage.’ are seen here with Cardinal The cardinal’s letter notes the bishops of Keith O’Brien, Archbishop Scotland are ‘deeply disappointed’ that the Emeritus Mario Conti and parish Scottish Government decided to proceed priest Fr Peter Lennon standing with its plans to re-define marriage two beside the stained glass window weeks ago ‘especially because the govern- designed for the parish ment simply ignored its own consultation.’ centenary. They were joined by That consultation ‘returned a result of Bishop Joseph Devine of two to one against the redefinition of mar- Motherwell, who turned 75 on riage, showing quite emphatically that there Tuesday (see page 3), Scottish was little will for the legalisation of same- clergy and representatives from sex ‘marriage’ among those who responded other churches for the parish’s to the consultation,” the cardinal writes. centenary Mass on Monday night. For more on the “We advise the Scottish Government celebrations, see page 2 PIC: PAUL McSHERRY once again not to proceed with its plans to legalise same sex ‘marriage’ and to leave in place the common understanding of marriage as uniquely the union of a man and a woman.” The cardinal also tells the SNP politician that the Scottish Government’s stated inten- Historic news on archives tion to see the UK equality act amended to protect religious celebrants before proceed- ing with legalising marriage does nothing to I The keeper of the Scottish Catholic Archives tells the SCO the future looks bright for Columba House assuage his fears. “The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland By Ian Dunn archivists, especially after staff illness meant the in the archives, research advances which then believes that there is considerably more at SCO EXCLUSIVE archives at Columba House, Edinburgh, were open increases knowledge and ultimately understanding.” stake here than the religious freedom of cel- on an appointment only basis. ebrants,” he writes. “We believe that reli- THE keeper of the Scottish Catholic Archives Mr Nicoll said it had been a ‘turbulent situation.’ Clarity on plans gious freedom itself is at stake, in the sense has said the short-term future of the archives “I have sympathy to the academics’ views and I Archbishop Emeritus Mario Conti of Glasgow has not just of freedom of worship, but of free- looks ‘positive.’ share their concerns, however the points made by also called for clarity about the archives in his role dom of conscience, freedom of speech and Speaking for the first time about the dispute over Archbishop Mario Conti and others address obvi- as chairman of the Bishops’ Conference heritage freedom of action. the archives’ future—which has seen some Scot- ous needs so there needs to be balance through commission. “Specifically, if a same-sex ‘marriage’ tish historians at loggerheads with the Bishops’ that,” he said. “I believe the archives is a wonder- Writing in a national newspaper, the archbishop law is enacted, the Bishops’ Conference of Conference of Scotland—Andrew Nicoll told the ful institution and the next few weeks will be a lamented the ‘misinformation and misunderstand- Scotland urges that not only should no pres- SCO the ‘main thing is that the archive will return period of change that will hopefully end in clarity.’ ing,’ which he said had surrounded the debate. sure be put on the Church to solemnise to near normality from the end of August’ in terms In pressing forward with relocation plans, he same-sex ‘marriage,’ but no penalty or of its opening hours. Value of the archives said he been acting on behalf of the Scottish bish- sanction should accrue for not doing so.” He added that he personally felt ‘much more Mr Nicoll added that it was important to appreci- ops who had unanimously decided to pursue the The cardinal also writes that he and his comfortable’ about its future. ate the true value of the archives. present course. brother bishops require assurances that ‘no “The archives provide the Church with its mem- “I accepted the unanimous decision of the confer- one should be prosecuted under the law for Turbulent period ory,” he said. “And the memory of the Church in ence and have worked to ensure, as chair of the speaking against the legislation or uphold- The archives have been the subject of controversy Scotland is very important not just to the Church above-mentioned trust, that the bishops’ preference ing in private or public discourse the view since the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland said but also to the nation. Our understanding of our be implemented,” he said. “That preference was that the nature of marriage is a union solely earlier this year it would be sticking to its plans to past informs what we do in the present and how based on the threefold criteria of ensuring that the of a man and a woman.’ move a section of material to Aberdeen University we look to the future.” historic collection be retained in its integrity, be well The Scottish bishops now seek to discuss and the traditional home of the rest at Columba Mr Nicoll also said the archives played a vital curated and made accessible to scholars.” these and other matters with the Deputy House would ultimately close. This provoked a role in advancing the study of that past. First Minister. hostile reaction from leading historians and “It’s quite simple,” he said. “Through the sources I Continued on page 2 GRANDPARENTS NEWS pages 1-9 HOLY FATHER invited to take OPINION page 10-11 finishes trilogy on part in special FEATURES pages 12-13, 21 Jesus, may be COLUMNISTS pages 10, 15 Mass at Carfin INTIMATIONS pages 17-20 working on Grotto this month CHILDREN’S LITURGY page 16 encyclical on Faith CARFIN CALL FAITH IN FOCUS IN FAITH Page 7 SPECIAL OCCASIONS page 6 SCO YOUR INSIDE Page 9 visit www.sconews.co.uk 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 SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday August 10 2012 Scottish hierarchy on hand to celebrate centenary of St Joseph’s, Helensburgh (Above) Archbishop Emeritus Conti, pictured with PARISHIONERS at St Joseph’s Church in Cardinal O’Brien, Bishop Devine, parish priest Fr Lennon Helensburgh were blessed by the presence of and parishioners of St Joseph’s, Helnsburgh after its three members of the hierarchy as they cele- centenary celebrations. (Right) The archbishop speaks brated the centenary of their church building with parishioners Hannah Thompson, Amy Gough and this week. Connor Press about the stained glass window they Archbishop Emertius Mario Conti, Cardinal designed for the event PICS: PAUL McSHERRY Keith O’Brien and Bishop Joseph Devine—who spent five years in the parish as a curate—joined ber them today particularly those who have com- parish priest Fr Peter Lennon and Church full of mitted so much in the course of the years to the life parishioners for a celebratory Mass. of the parish, to the care of the church. We remem- Archbishop Conti was the principal celebrant and ber tenderly all those who have gone before us.” in his homily he paid tribute to Helensburgh’s The archbishop went on to say that it was the Catholics saying he wished ‘them all every blessing.’ ‘fidelity of the people’ to God and His Church’ that “It might be possible to compute how many peo- has sustained this place throughout the years and ple have entered the church, how many have been will d so hopefully into the future whatever that parishioners over the years,” he said. “But it is not future may hold.’ necessary to have a number, it is sufficient to know Fr Lennon said it had been a ‘fantastic occasion.’ how that men and women, young and old, children “It’s gone even better than we planned,” he said. in arms and old people supported by sticks have “We feel a real sense of history and everyone is so gathered here. And it is good that we should remem- pleased it turned out great.” A day of prayer and reflection on the ancient spiritual Isle of Canna Bishop Joseph Toal, Fr Joe Calleja BISHOP Joseph Toal of and pilgrims from Argyll and the Argyll and the Isles made his Isles and beyond pictured during first pastoral visit to the Isle their visit to the Isle of Canna of Canna in the parish of PIC: ANTHONY MacMILLAN Morar, in the West Highlands on Wednesday August 1. Parish priest Fr Joe Calleja took this as an opportunity to Although there was rain they organise the day as a pilgrim- arrived at Canna safe and age, a day of prayer and retreat. sound and Bishop Toal cele- Each pilgrim was given a brated Mass and gave an inspir- booklet which included prayers ing homily, which centred of St Columba, morning prayer around St Alphonsus Ligouri and evening prayer from the and his spiritual legacy.