ORDER YOUR COPY OF THE MAGNIFICAT IN THIS WEEK’S SCO SEE PAGE 7 FOR DETAILS No 5289 Faith and politics ahead of election Pages Advice for candidates, questions for parties and meeting details inside 3, 10, 13 No 5409 www.sconews.co.uk Friday April 1 2011 | 90p Pope leads call for ceasefire in Libya I Holy Father’s fears for safety of civilians in Libya is catalyst for imploring an end to the violence By Ian Dunn POPE Benedict XVI has led the Church in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Libya, saying he is concerned about the safety of civilians in the North African country and urging ‘reconciliation’ across the Middle East. The senior bishop in Libya has backed the call for peace by the Holy Father, who spoke out after two weeks of air strikes by Britain and other nations against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s forces following the violent government suppres- sion of civil protests in the country. In London, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the new Apostolic nuncio to Great Britain, took the Pope’s message to an international summit on the future of Libya on Tuesday. Prior to the meeting, which he attended as Vatican observer, the arch- bishop spoke on the need for an immediate cease- fire. Peace talks The Pope made his strongest statement to date on the Libyan crisis on Sunday, calling on all com- batants to immediately lay down arms. “I launch a heartfelt appeal to international organisations and those with political and mili- tary responsibilities to immediately launch a dia- logue that will suspend the use of arms,” the Holy Father said. “Faced with the ever more dramatic news coming from Libya, my concern over the safety and security of the civilian population is growing, as is my fear for how the situation is developing with the use of arms. “At moments of the highest tension, it becomes more urgent to use every diplomatic method explosion of a nuclear reactor,” the North African “There also needs to be a roadmap for peace in Pope Benedict XVI (inset top) has led the Church in call- available and to support even the weakest signal bishops said. “The first victims are always the Libya, one that would be fair, to all people in ing for an immediate end to the violence in Libya (main). of openness and of willingness for reconciliation poorest and most disadvantaged. Moreover, Libya, apart from their political, religious or eth- He has been backed in his call by Bishop Giovanni from all sides involved.” whether we like it or not, the war in the Near East, nic identity.” Innocenzo Martinelli, Apostolic vicar of Tripoli (inset and now in the Maghreb, will always be inter- Last week Bishop Richard Moth, the British middle) and Archbishop Antonio Mennini, Apostolic Reaction preted as ‘a crusade.’” Forces bishop, said all Catholics here should pray nuncio to the UK (inset bottom) Bishop Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, Apostolic for a speedy resolution to the conflict. vicar of Tripoli and Libya’s most senior Catholic London meeting “It must be hoped that the necessity for the use Tripoli and the rebel leaders making their head- clergyman, said the Pope’s call for an end to con- Archbishop Mennini brought the Pope’s message of force is over as soon as possible and that inter- quarters in Benghazi. In the wake of reports of flict was ‘wonderful news.’ of peace to the international community on national forces continue to make every effort to ‘massacres’ of the protestors and bombings of the “The Holy Father’s appeal was wonderful Tuesday. The nuncio represented the Vatican as avoid loss of life and unnecessary damage to the rebel forces, the UN Security Council passed news and gives us great comfort,” the Apostolic an official observer at a special conference in country’s infrastructure,” Bishop Moth said. “I Resolution 1973. This resolution authorised the vicar said. “The Pope spoke words that affirm the London chaired by Prime Minister David would ask every parish community in these islands international community to establish a no-fly zone, need for reconciliation, peace and dialogue. We Cameron and attended by 40 foreign ministers to continue to keep the people of Libya in prayer and to allow for the use of ‘all means necessary’ have translated [the] appeal by the Holy Father and the United Nations General Secretary. that a peaceful solution may soon be found, and to for the protection of Libyan civilians. NATO into Arabic and we will send it as a voice message Before the meeting, the archbishop said that he pray for those servicemen and women who are assumed control of that operation last weekend. to the Libyan Foreign Ministry, for their informa- hoped the international community would accept working to protect innocent civilians from harm.” At the start of international military operations tion.” the need for a ceasefire that will allow for effective to impose a no-fly zone on Libya, the Pope previ- The bishops of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and humanitarian care to be given to those in need. Bombardment ously urged world leaders to ensure ‘the safety of Libya also issued a joint statement backing the “A ceasefire is necessary, in order to bring a Protestors in Libya began calling for the ousting of Libyan citizens and guarantee access to humani- Pope’s call for peace. concrete and effective peace for all sides,” he said. Muammar Gaddafi, the country’s leader for 42 tarian aid.’ “We know that war solves nothing, and when it “For the people are suffering under the air strikes years, last month. The protest soon escalated into breaks out, it is just as uncontrollable as the but also under the previous suffering. armed conflict, with Colonel Gaddafi controlling I [email protected] CARDINAL O’BRIEN JOHN NEWTON ARCHBISHOP CONTI given relic of slain tells the stories warns educators archbishop after behind this year’s that indifference Mass and lecture persecution is as worrying in Edinburgh report figures as atheism ACN REPORT Page 4 ROMERO GIFT Page 12 Page 5 EDUCATION MESSAGE EDUCATION visit www.sconews.co.uk 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 April 1 2011 A triple celebration at St Joseph’s Service By Martin Dunlop party, which was this year held at the hall of St Matthew’s Church, Rosewell. CARDINAL Keith O’Brien joined the com- Winnie Tuohy, director of St Joseph’s Service, was munity of St Joseph’s Service, Rosewell, glad they managed to re-arrange the party and thanked Edinburgh, for a triple celebration on Friday the cardinal for his ongoing support of their work. March 18. “The cardinal takes time every year to attend The celebration, on the eve of the solemnity of our Christmas party, which is very much appreci- Cardinal Keith O’Brien joined the St Joseph and the day after the cardinal celebrat- ated by us all,” she said.“He knows everybody community of St Joseph’s Service, ed his 73rd birthday, was the re-arranged annual here and spent the evening making sure he spoke Rosewell, Edinburgh recently to celebrate its rearranged Christmas St Joseph’s Christmas party, cancelled due to the to everyone, he even told us it is the best party he party—which had been cancelled poor weather in December, which Cardinal has ever been to!” due to poor weather—on the eve of O’Brien attends each year. In addition to the evening’s partying, the cardi- the solemnity of St Joseph (above) The residential care home, run by the Daughters nal took time to pose for a group photograph with and the night after His Eminence’s of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, join together some of the residents, helpers, staff and sisters of own 73rd birthday with Enable Scotland and Thera Scotland for the the residence. PICS: PAUL McSHERRY OLIVERʼS A golden celebration for Canon John Agnew in Broxburn Boulevard & Drumry Taxis Drumchapel THE golden jubilee of the 24 Hours Service - Cars for all occasions ordination to priesthood of Radio Controlled Cars - All Calls Monitored Canon John Agnew was cel- SINGLE PASSENGERS TRAVEL SAFELY ebrated at Ss John Cantius 0141-944 8111 0141-944 7374 and Nicholas, Broxburn, on Friday March 18. 0141-944 8222 0141-944 4079 The retired priest of St 0141-944 8333 0141-944 8444 Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese was joined for his NO BOUNDARY CHARGES jubilee celebrations by Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Fr Basil Clark, parish priest at Ss John Cantius and Nicholas, as well as clergy from the arch- diocese, including Mgr Alistair Lawson, vicar general. Cardinal O’Brien paid trib- ute to Canon Agnew’s 50 years of service to the Church at the end of Mass before joining him for a special photograph on the altar with clergy, altar servers and children from the PIC: PAUL McSHERRY local primary school (right). SPOTLIGHT ON... EWTN CATHOLIC TV IS ON SKY EPG 589 Sky Freesat £175 total cost , no monthly charges. 200 Free channels including EWTN TV & Radio. Bishop Joseph Devine of Motherwell celebrated the Rite of Election for candidates from parishes throughout the diocese at Our Lady of Good 08442411602 Call Sky on for installation. Aid Cathedral on the first Sunday of Lent. The Mass brought a total of 32 Catechumans preparing to become members of the Catholic Church Call EWTN on 020 83502542 or e-mail [email protected] and 29 candidates preparing for Full Communion with the Church.