October 2014 Issue No 242 www.openhousescotland.co.uk £2.50

Reflections on the Global justice and the Saints of the Islands: referendum role of business St Donnan of Eigg Editorial The referendum

Last month Open House described as ‘well founded’ a which most concern the over 55s. They were identified as suspicion that the higher the turnout in the referendum the age group which voted No. the higher would be the Yes vote. The suspicion was ill Open House’s August editorial proved nearer the mark. founded and the opposite proved to be true: the higher The status quo (remaining part of the UK) was the turnout the higher the No vote. The two highest threatened, not by the SNP machine but by a turnouts were East Dumbarton (Bishopbriggs) and East combination of two minorities - nationalists and Renfrewshire (Newton Mearns). Both voted No. The socialists. That they amount to 45% is, in UK terms, two lowest turnouts were Glasgow and Dundee. Both remarkable. Equally remarkable is the fact that over two voted Yes. million people living in Scotland are now described as This must temper somewhat the euphoria surrounding middle class. West Dunbartonshire, which contains some the turnout, the highest since universal franchise in 1922. of the most deprived communities in Scotland, had a It is claimed this was the result of the disenfranchised turnout of over 80% and a Yes vote. Better off Labour making their voices heard. Yet in areas associated with voters joined those with little to lose in the hope that poverty, like Glasgow, 25% did not vote. In Dundee social justice might better be served in an independent 21% failed to turn out. In the country as a whole one in Scotland. ten people failed to take part in what was described as a Are these statistics relevant to ‘normal’ political issues? once in a lifetime opportunity. We won’t have to wait long to find out. The Tories and The record turnout was more likely the response to a Liberals face a vote of confidence in May 2015 and the rogue poll that put the Yes campaign in the lead only two Nationalists a year later. Will the UK Government hold weeks before polling day. This appears to have on to the two million votes in a General Election? Will galvanised the No vote. People who had got out of the the Scottish Government get 45% of the vote to keep habit of voting or who had given up on political parties them in power in Holyrood? And then, being Scottish suddenly thought the result might affect them. The two and British, in 2017 what will we say when we are asked issues headlined were pensions and the NHS: the issues if we think we are also European? It’s good to talk

If a week is a long time in politics, the church is usually and training. By opting to listen and encourage dialogue, perceived as dealing in centuries. Not so in the diocese of the bishop is acknowledging the new reality of the church Killaloe in Ireland, where the bishop issued a pastoral in his diocese, where over half the priests are over 66. letter in August inviting men to consider becoming He is supported by a recent document from Rome. The deacons and in September put the invitation on hold. International Theological Commission, whose president Bishop Kieran O’Reilly was responding to concerns is Cardinal Müller, Prefect of the Congregation of the raised by many in the diocese who pointed out that Doctrine of the Faith, issued a report in June which women, already carrying out much of the pastoral work referred to the ‘caricature’ of an active hierarchy and a that deacons would do, could not apply for ordination to passive laity. In its 40 page report, Sensus Fidei in the the diaconate. Life of the Church, the commission explored the In a note to be read at all masses in the diocese about meaning of sensus fidei – that believers have an innate the reaction to his pastoral letter, Bishop O’Reilly said he ability to recognise what the faith is. Bishops, they had listened carefully to the dialogue it had prompted acknowledge, may not always have it entirely right. and believed that the level of engagement which had The commission recommends that bishops listen to emerged was a sign of energy and commitment. He priests and people and consult them through the wants the dialogue to continue for the benefit of the structures established by the Second Vatican Council, church and the mission entrusted to it, and will not now which include parish and diocesan councils. They say proceed with the introduction of the permanent that ‘Humble listening at all levels and proper diaconate at this time. consultation of those concerned are integral aspects of a The bishop speaks in his pastoral letter of the mission living and lively church’ (n 126). given to all through baptism, which is reflected in the diocesan pastoral plan. At its heart is lay involvement See www.killaloediocese.ie

2 OPEN HOUSE October 2014 Contents Referendum (1)

BRIAN FITZPATRICK

Page 3 The people have spoken Brian Fitzpatrick The people have spoken Page 5 A dream deferred Duncan MacLaren A No supporter reflects that fellow Scots were prepared Page 6 Social media and the to engage with difficult issues while politicians on both referendum Florence Boyle sides failed to shed light on the challenges facing Page 8 Taking care of business Scotland. Alastair Dutton Page 10 St Donnan of Eigg Honor Hania I ‘stayed up for Portillo’ in 1997. Fast Earlier, an organised crowd had Page 12 Pilgrimage for peace forward to 2014 and we stayed up demonstrated outside BBC Scotland until Edinburgh’s results. We cheered against alleged bias in the public Stephen Kelly and Stephen but there was no champagne, still less broadcaster’s reporting. In scenes akin Smyth dancing. Moreover, while next day I to Moscow, the names of ‘offending’ Page 14 The Francis effect in felt vindicated, I didn’t feel the journalists were held aloft on placards. the pews euphoria nor the bonhomie of that Mr Salmond, disgracefully, pronounced Noel Donnelly May Friday morning of 1997 (when this demonstration ‘glorious’. Calls we still were dancing at 5am). with menaces were made to the likes of Page 16 Ecce Homo I felt relief but I knew too that my the principal of St Andrew’s, for daring Jim McMillan sense of ‘battle o’er and victory won’ to raise her concerns at the effects of Page 18 Notebook meant that for many others a lifetime’s secession on her establishment. dreams and aspirations had been Business leaders spoke of hints by Page 18 Letters dashed. I knew no Tories in ’97 and Ministers as to the need to vote ‘the Living Spirit still care little for their upset but I right way’. With Nationalist stalwarts Page 20 Reviews know many Yes supporters. After a threatening a ‘day of reckoning’ robust Book, film bruising campaign when, at times, our politicking began to seem a bit more politics got very ugly indeed I was like ugly demagoguery. I am glad to see Page 21 The legacy of Ian Paisley more aware of a need for some the back of such anti-democratic Anthony Allison national healing and reconciliation antics. They disfigured and shamed our than triumph. politics. Page 23 Moments in Time Yet, save for celebrating the I was more impressed at the readiness remarkable 85% turnout, I depart of my fellow Scots, throughout a hard from the claims made, mostly by Yes fought campaign of claim and counter- Thank you to all those who supporters (and politely acceded to by claim, to engage with difficult issues. contributed to this edition of some No politicians), that Scotland’s Arriving at my station after the second Open House. referendum experience was a wonder Salmond v Darling debate, three Open House, which was founded in to behold and a marvellous democratic separate groups were discussing not the Dundee in 1990, is an independent event. We certainly saw an uglier usual commuter pleasantries but journal of comment and debate on sub-strata of Scottish life and politics, currency union. faith issues in Scotland. It is rooted in evidenced in the closing weeks of the But was much light shed on key issues the reforms of the Second Vatican campaign and reaching its ugliest midst months of campaigning? Council (1962-65) and committed to heights in the scenes played out in An odd feature of the Yes campaign the dialogue which began at the Glasgow’s George Square on the Friday was to claim that everything would Council - within the Catholic Church, evening. Passing on the evening of change for the better post- in other churches, and with all those polling day, I had already seen the Independence but nothing would committed to issues of justice and square filling up with drunk, but change post-Independence. Worried peace. unmenacing, Saltire-bedecked young about the Queen, the Pound, your www.openhousescotland.co.uk Nats evidently more focussed on passport, border controls, a Central getting out the vodka than getting out Bank, your pension? No worries, no Cover: Saltire over the Scottish the vote. I remain unconvinced how change. Trident a worry? Well, does Parliament building, Holyrood. much the participants next day were ‘don’t ask – don’t tell’, suit you? Photo by Dominic Cullen Yes mobs or No mobs instead of plain Mr Salmond latched onto remarks by yobs. But it was part of a pattern. the former Chancellor that an

October 2014 OPEN HOUSE 3 were pilloried on social media in the not wash. Much better attention will be language of ‘Traitor, Quisling and needed from Unionists to articulating, I was never likely to vote Yes collaborator’. expounding and making real those but as the campaign unfolded it Lack of detail meant that discussions benefits. Brown, with a demand for became increasingly difficult to on health occurred only through the solidarity over nationalism, applied an lens of hospitals and the NHS and intellectual plaster to Labour’s positive identify a Scottish problem to mostly in the context of a late scare arguments for the Union but more is which secession was the story on NHS privatisation; education needed – not least in West of Scotland hardly featured at all. Climate change? working class seats. His intervention obvious solution. What climate change? While East also highlighted the personnel problems Glasgow was a key political afflicting Scottish Labour: Team A being battleground, I remain ignorant of one drafted in to address the perceived independent Scotland might ‘use the campaign event that looked to the shortcomings of Team B (Holyrood). pound’ while abbreviating Darling: problems of inter-generational poverty, The near total absence of Labour MSPs Scotland, he said, might equally use ‘the ill-health and absent choices which from campaigning positions cannot be rouble or dollar’. I was never likely to found Independence to be the answer. ignored in the longer term. vote Yes but as the campaign unfolded And what of Scots Catholics? Was the And the legacy? At 8pm on polling it became increasingly difficult to referendum a welcome coming-of-age day, while touring his constituency, Mr identify a Scottish problem to which for the Scottish Church? True, we were Salmond claimed that ‘99 per cent of secession was the obvious solution. spared the presence of Keith Patrick Scotland’ would be ‘perfectly happy’ Any suggestions of moving to a O’Brien – our most prominent Catholic with the outcome of the referendum. progressive, social democratic welfare Nat to date. Instead, Sir Tom Devine Did he expect he would be among that State also seemed checked by the joined others in announcing support for unhappy 1%, now inflated to 45% demand that we should vote Yes so as Yes. The Herald played host to a full (though actually around 36%). In a page ad for Yes supporting Catholic temper tantrum after the results, to join the ranks of ‘the wealthiest clerics, religious and lay folk. All well Salmond erroneously attributed the countries in the world’. Evidently, once and good in itself, though still rebuff to the old and the ‘conned’, or we offloaded those pesky English and pandering to the myth of a ‘Catholic stupid, by which he meant us – the Welsh eating up our surfeit of resources. vote’. Our Bishops, save for sending us majority of Scots. Having insisted that The surprise wasn’t that Salmond was their general best wishes, rightly kept the referendum would answer the ready to so recklessly speak of silent. The main conclusion I draw is independence question for a lifetime, he ‘Sterlingisation’ but that the levels of his that the Catholic vote was no longer speculated that a future Nationalist recklessness managed to go substantially viewed as an issue in itself. Perhaps that administration might just move directly unchecked. Bluster nearly won the day represents progress though irrelevance to an independence vote – the politician Only already committed No voters seem seems an equal, if harsher, conclusion. rejected by the electorate moves to sack to have been following the currency After the dust settled, St Giles hosted the electorate. Cooler heads prevailed debate – more damage likely was done the ‘national service of reconciliation’. and his most likely successor soon was to No by a generalised feeling that Some things never change. to the fore in the media. As the First Scotland somehow, yet again, was being Mario Cuomo’s observation that Minister disappeared from public view, bullied or treated unfairly. politicians ‘campaign in poetry’ (while Ms Sturgeon conceded defeat. For many, it was obvious that, on the governing in prose) had been up-ended So, as he departs Bute House, our First detail of almost all of the key by a desultory No campaign which Minister might wryly reflect on consequences of a Yes vote, the failed to articulate a positive case for the unintended consequences. His lifetime’s Nationalists simply refused to engage. Union. Truth be told, most political work was given over to the unravelling On EU accession, anyone raising doubts campaigning is negative. Asking ‘Should of a Union foisted on an unwilling from Europe was a ‘bully’. Salmond Scotland be an independent country?’ Scotland by a corrupt landowning elite. moved from claiming automatic called for a negative response. Securing the referendum summarised the accession to insisting a resources-poor Campaigning by committee is a disaster achievements of the Salmond Europe would rush to admit rich in waiting, doing so by committee administrations. Courtesy of the 2014 Scotland. Sterling currency union? The requiring all-party consensus just referendum, our history will tell us, that Governor, and three potential UK increases its likely scale. earlier Union, (one secured by Chancellors (plus the Permanent It was only in the dog days of the realpolitik, bribery and harsh economic Secretary at the Treasury) were just campaign that Gordon Brown ignited necessities), some 300 years after the another five bullies who quickly would the debate by a series of tub-thumping ‘parcel of rogues’ had their wicked way, come to heel after Yes. A Central Bank? Labour speeches to audiences of mostly instead was democratically affirmed by We didn’t need one. Businesses traditional Labour voters. As the further over two million Scots, in a 85%poll, threatened by uncertainty and concerns devolution of powers and the giving their support for Scotland in the on trade barriers? ‘Business for forthcoming Westminster and Scottish United Kingdom. Solidarity forever! Scotland’ popped up Potemkin-like to Parliament elections loom, with the risks mouth the opposite. All would be well. of the still disgruntled pressing for Brian Fitzpatrick is an advocate and Scots making awkward contrary points Neverendum, unity round the flag will former Labour MSP.

4 OPEN HOUSE October 2014 Referendum reflection (2)

DUNCAN MACLAREN A dream deferred

A long time supporter of Scottish independence who returned to Scotland to campaign for a Yes vote finds signs of hope for the future.

On learning the result of the grassroots than formal political replacing the Liberal Democrats as referendum campaign, I was struck parties and uses peaceful and the UK’s third biggest party. Instead numb. To a certain extent, the imaginative means of putting across of a blame game among politicians, whole country was. It reminded me their case. This new movement will Alex Salmond calmly passed the of the aftermath of the devolution also find new ways of campaigning baton of leadership on to (probably) referendum of 1979 when Labour which will engage the Scottish Nicola Sturgeon and there is a MP George Cunningham’s 40% rule people. I think MPs are in for a consensus around negotiating the scuppered the creation of a Scottish shock and they had better extend new powers from the Lord Kelvin’s Parliament for a generation – despite their surgery hours. These new Commission with the British parties. the establishment of a ‘Scottish activists also have a formidable This is in stark contrast to the Assembly’ being his party’s own, party machine in the SNP (with the looming civil war in who will take reluctant policy. In that campaign, Greens, the Scottish Socialists and over from the hapless Johann Gordon Brown whom I, as then the non-aligned) to form around to Lamont as Scottish Labour leader SNP Press Officer, met in the Calton take their activism into the political and Margaret Curran’s lament Studios in Edinburgh on a weekly institutions. about the poorer areas of Glasgow, basis to exchange notes, was Secondly, after the 1979 Dundee and West Dunbartonshire confident of a win. I pointed out to referendum, the SNP members no longer being voting fodder to a him that trade unionists had come bickered among themselves and Labour Party which will carry to SNP HQ for assistance in threw out key activists who had forward George Osborne’s austerity delivering Yes leaflets in the formed the more left wing faction, cuts and give fewer powers to the sprawling Edinburgh housing estates the 79 Group, in response to the Scottish Parliament than the Tories. because Brian Wilson’s Labour for major votes for devolution coming The ‘Big Yin’, Billy Connolly, in No campaign had influenced large largely from the poorer members of favour of the No vote, has now said sections of his own party. society as well as a desire to that if the Unionist parties did not As my more recent numbness wore formulate more coherent policies to deliver on their pledges, ‘there off and as I read the reactions and combat endemic poverty. Those would be hell to pay’. saw the ‘vow’ from the three activists included Alex Salmond Thirdly, while pensioners voted Unionist party leaders for more who, along with the other members, overwhelmingly against, despite powers unravelling, I realised this was rehabilitated and a more what the Scottish Parliament has was not the same as 1979. For a left-wing stance came about through provided for them, those at the start, the Yes campaign inspired a debate. The result is a Scottish other end of the age spectrum, the huge non-party political section of Parliament which keeps the NHS 16-17 year olds, voted over 70% for the Scottish public into action. What under public control, provides free independence. They could see that the social media, young people, the bus passes for the over-sixties so option was the one that provided Radical Independence campaign, that they can form their own most hope for our small, social- National Collective, trade unionists, networks of solidarity in parts of democratic country to prosper pro-independence entrepreneurs, Scotland they could never afford to rather than for them to take the Labour for Yes, Women for Yes and visit and free university tuition to high road to London to find a job or the other groups have formed is a continue the Scottish democratic end up in another continent, far mass movement for deep intellect tradition. from home and family. As my constitutional change. It has become Far from unravelling, the SNP saw godson, Michael, wrote to me, ‘the akin to the Catalan movement for its membership tripling after dream is not over. After a few days, independence which is much more referendum day, making it the I realised again that the chance may rooted in civil society and the largest party in Scotland and not be as far away as first seemed’.

October 2014 OPEN HOUSE 5 Referendum reflection (3)

Lastly, considering the threats from FLORENCE BOYLE Project Fear, as the No campaign became known, it was an astonishing feat that 45% of the population voted Yes when, during my lifetime, #indyref the level of support for independence has hovered around 26%. All the Open House’s treasurer looks at the role of social media media bar one Sunday newspaper were against, the BBC even breaking in the referendum campaign. its charter of impartiality to contribute to a No vote. All major UK parties, many businesses and the At one of the innumerable debates (using 140 characters or Establishment in general preached referendum meetings held across less) and start to follow those Armageddon if Scotland voted Yes. It the country, Glasgow journalist whose opinions have caught your is also amazing that all the Scottish Kevin McKenna identified social attention. The Twitter world is one Parliamentary constituencies of media as one of the sources he in which you follow and are in turn Glasgow, our largest city and sought out to inform himself about followed. For some it becomes a normally a Labour heartland, voted the issues. He was not alone. As the competition to gather as many Yes to independence. Many of the polls closed Yes Scotland had followers as possible, especially poorest registered to vote for the first 106,000 Twitter followers. The No where there is a commercial time and they were not doing so to be Campaign had 42,000. In the 24 imperative. The Twitter top 10 in content with the status quo. hours between the opening of the terms of numbers of followers is In post-referendum Scotland, there polls at 7.00 am on 18th September dominated by pop stars and are still two hundred nuclear and 7.00 am on result day, 2.6m footballers which reflects the warheads within a short distance of tweets about the Scottish predominant Twitter demographic. Scotland’s major population centres, independence referendum Katy Perry (ask a teenager who she 200,000 children in poverty, a figure (#indyref) were sent around the is ) has the largest number of which will rise no matter who wins world. The Twitter heat map followers on Twitter (57m), Barak the next Westminster elections, and showed the geographical hotspots. Obama has 46m and Pope Francis food banks springing up all over the The UK was the obvious top of the has 4.5m. Note to the Vatican, place as families find it difficult to list but across America, Europe, whoever writes the Pope’s tweets feed themselves. Addressing those Australia, South East Asia and needs some practice; frankly the kind of issues as well as Scotland’s South America the Twittersphere lit contributions read like they come democratic deficit are what inspires up as users passed comment, asked from a pre-prepared pile of bon this fresh generation of activists for a questions, created alliances and, for mots and lack any of the new Scotland. They will analyse all a small minority, hurled abuse. spontaneity (and humour) we have the minutiae that emerge from the Commentators acknowledge that come to associate with Pope ‘vow’ from the triumvirate of the independence referendum was Francis. Cameron, Clegg and Miliband as well the first Scottish political campaign Trending themes and hot debates as Lord Smith’s Scotland Devolution where social media made an are identified on Twitter by the use Commission and will not be content impact. of the # (hashtag) symbol and so with Lazarus-like crumbs. They have For those who struggle with email #indyref became Twitter shorthand found what people power can do and and internet searches Twitter is a for the independence referendum will tell the Better Together campaign different world, with its own and a way of indexing comments so that a victory based on deceit is language, customs and conventions. they were searchable by users. The pyrrhic and if the deception continues First, a run through for the limit of 140 characters is those responsible will suffer uninitiated. Twitter is an online challenging and Twitter is peppered consequently at the ballot box. No, forum where users (or groups of with truncated words (vowels the dream is not over. It has only users) establish an identity. It can be omitted) and acronyms. If you can been deferred. your own name or an alias. You send a comprehensible txt msg you can, if you want, be passive and can create a tweet and if you don’t Duncan MacLaren is an Adjunct follow the debate without comment understand the acronyms you can Professor at the Catholic University or you can contribute (called look them up in Google. of Australia. tweeting) to any of the online One of the favourite Twitterers

6 OPEN HOUSE October 2014 during the referendum campaign, on they still apply traditional reporting simply would not go. While 140 both sides of the debate, was Angry conventions. characters generate inventiveness and Salmond, the alter ego of the SNP The Yes campaign was the wit in some, the challenge seems Leader who acquired 22,000 followers predominant presence on social media beyond others. with his irreverent ‘inside’ view of the and generated the most buzz. A What starts off as being subversive campaign. Many prominent television, number of umbrella groups like and revolutionary often becomes part newspaper journalists and public Women for Independence (14k), of the norm and this looks like what figures are on Twitter and proffer off Radical Independence (19k) Labour may happen with some of the more the cuff analysis, indiscreet comment for Indy (9k) worked through Twitter and banter with their followers that to organise, energise and inform. The prominent social media forums that few outside the Twittersphere would No campaign were there but in a less have emerged from the referendum witness. organised form. Better Together was debate. The prominent online blog As well as Twitter, online blogs the most visible presence of the No side Bella Caledonia is now looking for proliferated as groups and individuals of the argument but generally the No funding to improve and increase its sought to influence the debate, move side had less of a presence and a output to provide a challenge to opinion or just have a rant. Even with narrower range of voices. mainstream sources. Time will tell the plethora of phone-ins and emails No discussion of social media and the whether this will be successful. that dominate newspapers and radio referendum campaign would be Last word goes to the Twitter programmes, mainstream media (or complete without some mention of the contributor who summed up the MSM in twitter) is far less interactive. cybernats, a group of social media conduct of the campaign: ‘No bombs, One of the key talking points during savvy nationalists who, it is alleged, use the referendum debate centred on online forums to intimidate and abuse. no bullets, one egg’. accusations of perceived media bias Undoubtedly they are there (on both against the Yes campaign. Journalists sides), but it is akin to walking dark Florence Boyle worked in the financial used Twitter to explain some of the streets at night, there are places you sector. pressures they faced from editors wedded to a particular editorial line and reminded everyone about the dangers of shooting the messenger. THE NEWMAN ASSOCIATION During the last televised debate between the two leaders of the (GLASGOW) campaign Twitter emerged as an 2014/2015 LECTURE SERIES important complementary commentary channel to live television. The political Promoting open discussion and greater understanding in today’s Church think tank Demos estimated that 250,000 tweets were sent during the course of the debate mostly from the TOWARDS A DIGNITY-BASED Central Belt but it was clear from the APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT analysis that the rest of the UK were watching and monitoring the debate Duncan MacLaren on Twitter. Former Executive Director of SCIAF and Secretary For a proportion of young users General of Caritas Internationalis, now an Adjunct social media is their primary source of news and views, unmediated by Professor of the Australian Catholic University. mainstream media (MSM). Social media is where they discover the THURSDAY 30th OCTOBER scoops research the background and at 7.30pm find out the detail the MSM cannot/ will not publish; dangerous maybe, in Ogilvie Centre terms of how authoritative and truthful St Aloysius’ Church, Rose Street the information but also reflective of a GLASGOW G3 6RE lack of faith in traditional institutions. Yet many of the mainstream media Admission: Non-Members: three pounds (includes refreshments) channels also use social media as Any enquiries, email to: [email protected] another means of distribution where

October 2014 OPEN HOUSE 7 International development

ALISTAIR DUTTON Taking care of business

The new director of SCIAF, the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, explains why development agencies like SCIAF offer economic and social analyses of poverty and encourage their supporters to campaign for long term change.

Something is wrong with our economy. Pope Benedict XVI built on these ideas The prevailing idea of progress has of authentic human development and come to mean economic growth. In this human dignity in his encyclical Caritas setting big business has increased its in Veritate. Coming after the sharp economic and political influence while economic downturn of 2008, it offered the vast majority of the world’s poorest a fresh perspective on the crisis, people have been left behind. All too reminding us that the economy and often people and wellbeing are business activity does not exist in a secondary to wealth creation and vacuum. Pope Benedict suggests that consumption. markets are not morally self-sufficient; Through our work with people in rather, since the economy operates developing countries, SCIAF knows the within society – and is influenced by positive impact business can have on social and political factors – it must be poor communities; creating vital jobs, governed by an ethical framework. stimulating local economies, providing This lack of an ethical framework goods and services to people who need guiding today’s economy is causing them, and generating tax revenue. significant problems. Pope Benedict However, businesses can also have writes, ‘Once profit becomes the negative impacts. In our new report, exclusive goal, if it is produced by Alistair Dutton. Taking Care of Business, we explore the improper means and without the detrimental effect some companies have common good as its ultimate end, it In highlighting the struggle of on people living in poverty and the risks destroying wealth and creating communities in Colombia and others planet. In Colombia, for instance, the poverty.’ like them, we are first and foremost land and livelihoods of poor Afro- In Evangelii Gaudium Pope Francis giving a voice to the people we work Colombian communities are being also argues that ‘Growth in justice with and helping them influence threatened by foreign mining companies requires more than economic growth… decisions that affect their lives. We also who’ve been given huge swathes of land it requires decisions, programmes, make sure their voices are heard by key by the government. mechanisms and processes specifically decision-makers in Scotland, the UK, The social teaching of the Catholic geared to a better distribution of Europe and further afield so the Church offers a valuable perspective on income, the creation of sources of interests of the poor are not forgotten. the economy and business. As Pope employment and an integral promotion The importance of this has been Paul IV reflected in Populorum of the poor which goes beyond a simple captured by Americo Mosquera, a legal Progressio, ‘Development cannot be welfare mentality’. representative of one of our partners in limited to mere economic growth… it SCIAF has an important role to play Colombia that campaign on land rights: has to promote the good of every man in Scotland in articulating the moral ‘SCIAF has helped us to have a political and of the whole man’. Human beings case for action to help people living in impact, which is what we need, at the cannot be seen merely as economic poverty when we lobby governments national and international level; units. Instead we must shift the focus and big business. We do this because it showing all the problems we are facing away from economic growth for its is the right thing to do, even if in the territory regarding the mining… own sake towards an economy which campaigning for such change is a long The work of SCIAF is a way of raising puts human dignity and well-being at term endeavour and offers few quick awareness of the situation we face.’ its heart. fixes. Reports and analysis from

8 OPEN HOUSE October 2014 organisations like SCIAF highlight transparency by making all large work with the Scottish Government to problems to politicians and powerful businesses report their social, ensure that accompanying guidance to stakeholders which in turn can help environmental and human rights the Act helps public bodies make build international pressure to change impacts and risks. ethically and environmentally sound an unjust situation. This is vital. It also Closer to home, SCIAF’s lobbying procurement choices. reminds offending governments or work can also make a difference. While We also work in solidarity with other businesses that their actions are being the Scottish Government may not make watched. In 2007 a SCIAF report and the regulatory decisions that govern UK organisations that share our goals, campaign highlighted copper mining in businesses, it can encourage good which range from Justice and Peace Zambia and the tiny royalties the business practice with those with whom Scotland to the international Caritas government was receiving from a it deals. Scotland currently spends and CIDSE networks of Catholic subsidiary of a UK-listed company. The around £9billion a year buying goods development charities. This has been report brought the issue to the attention and services for the public sector. That’s used to great effect with campaigns of shareholders in Scotland, civil society a lot of purchasing power. It is such as Make Poverty History and the in Zambia and the companies involved. important that public contracts go to Enough Food for Everyone… IF, We believe this helped to provide some companies that behave in an ethical and leading to the cancellation of unjust space for the Zambian Government, environmentally responsible way, who subsequently put new royalty respect human rights, adhere to high international debts, increased spending arrangements into place which labour standards and pay their taxes. on aid and commitments to tackle tax generated a substantial increase in tax Doing so could have a real impact on dodging. income which it committed to spending people living beyond our borders. The most pressing element of a more on health and education. The backing of hundreds of thousands moral marketplace is the recognition of In the case of Colombia, the UK is the of Scots in parishes and schools across and adherence to people’s human second largest inward investor with the country means that government rights. These are most clearly laid out in £4billion of bilateral trade and ministers will pay attention to the issues the United Nations’ Guiding Principles investment planned by 2020. The UK we raise in our reports and campaigns. on Business and Human Rights. We Government therefore has real potential Last year, over 2,500 supporters joined to influence the situation on the ground us in calling for the Scottish therefore need the Scottish and UK and the behaviour of British companies Government to make sure its public governments, European Union, and working there. The regulations made procurement was carried out ethically other governments around the world here guide UK businesses working and sustainably. The Government’s such as Colombia to introduce overseas and can therefore have subsequent Procurement Reform Act regulatory frameworks to make sure important repercussions for people responded to our demands, asking this happens. We also need businesses living in poverty in Colombia and public bodies to state their policy on to take the Guiding Principles seriously around the world. That is why our new fair and ethical trade. This is an and live up to them. report calls for increased corporate important start and we will continue to Much progress has been made in encouraging businesses to behave ethically and sustainably, but more is needed. Grounded in the teachings of the Church, and with the backing of people across Scotland, we will continue to strive to create a more just world, so that all people can fulfil their potential and live with dignity.

Alistair Dutton was Humanitarian Director of Caritas International, the global confederation of Catholic aid agencies and interim Director of the Sphere Project, which sets standards for humanitarian aid delivery.

Colombian boy at a massacre memorial service. SCIAF’s report, Taking Care of Photo courtesy of Val Morgan, SCIAF Business, is at www.sciaf.org.uk

October 2014 OPEN HOUSE 9 Saints of the islands

HONOR HANIA St Donnan of Eigg

A recent visit to Eigg by a librarian with an interest in Scottish saints sparked an investigation into the role played by St Donnan in bringing Christianity to Scotland.

There are names associated with the group of companions. It is probable become the soul friend of someone early Christian church in Scotland he spent some time working in the who was destined for red with which most people are familiar south west of Scotland: there are martyrdom. Red martyrdom meant - Ninian, Kentigern, and Columba place names linked to him in death for the faith; white for example. They are well known Ayrshire, Arran and Kintyre. He martyrdom referred to someone and their contribution recognised then made his way northwards who lived a life of asceticism, and renowned. However, there are heading for Iona, where Columba solitude and penance. The entry in a number of other individuals who, was based. the Martyrology of Oengus the though less prominent, were There is a tale that while on Iona, Culdee states: instrumental in planting the seeds Donnan asked Columba to become Tis this Donnán that went to Colum cille to get him for a of the Christian faith on the his Anam Cara, his soul friend or soulfriend, and Colum cille said to mainland and islands of Scotland. confessor. Columba refused on the him, ‘I will only be soulfriend,’ One of these was St Donnan – or grounds that he did not want to Donan - an Irish monk of quoth he, ‘to folk of whit the 6th/7th centuries. A martyrdom. I will not be glance at some of the place (thy) soulfriend, for thou names associated with him and the whole of thy demonstrates the extent of community with thee will his travels and influence: go to red martyrdom’. And 2 Kildonan on Uist; Kildonan this was fulfilled. in Kintyre; the parish of From Iona, Donnan then travelled north. For many Kildonan, Sutherland; and years, his missionary work Eilean Donan castle near took place among the Picts Loch Alsh on the west of northern Scotland and coast, amongst others. he appears to have However he is most closely travelled extensively in associated with Eigg, one Sutherland and Caithness. of the islands known as the His muinntir - his Small Isles on Scotland’s community – is thought at west coast, where he is this time to have been reputed to be buried. established around the It is not known where and area of the Strath of when Donnan was born, Kildonan in Sutherland. but it is presumed he was Then he seems to have Irish. The Martyrology of moved westwards. There Donegal refers to him as are foundations bearing 1 coming from Erin . He is his name near Ullapool, thought to have travelled to Loch Alsh, Skye and Uist. Scotland in the late 6th The ancient graveyard and church of Kildonnan, Eigg, From there it is assumed century accompanied by a on the east of the island.

10 OPEN HOUSE October 2014 he travelled to Eigg which was to be Martyrology of Tallaght.4 Their canonised by Leo VIII in 1898. His his last home. entry reads: feast is 17th April, the date of his On Eigg he set up his muinntir on Donnani Ega cum suis id est LII. death. A song of the Hebrides a fertile slope on the east of the Hi sunt Aedani, Tarloga, Mairic, commemorates him: island, facing the mainland. It is Congaile, Lonain, MacLasre, estimated that in this community he Iohain, Ernain, Ernini, Baethini, ‘Early gives the sun greeting to had over 50 companions. Rotain, Andrlog, Carillog, Rotain, Donnan, However, the establishment of the Fergusain, Rectaire, Connidi, Early sings the bird the greatness of monastery on Eigg was not Endae, MacLoga, Guretii, Luncti, Donnan, welcomed by the Queen of Moidart Corani, Baetani, Colmain, Ternlugi, Early grows the grass on the grave who was the ruler of the island. Lugedo, Luctai, Gracind, Cucalini, Several reasons have been advanced Cobrain, Conmind, Cummini, of Donnan, for her hostility – possibly she did Baltiani, Senaig, Demmain, The warm eye of Christ on the not approve of the new religion, she Cummeni, Tarlugi, Finani, grave, may have resented the influence of Findchain, Findchon, Cronani, The stars of the heavens on the the monks, or, as suggested by a Modomma, Cronain, Ciarian, grave. note in the Martyrology of Oengus Colmain, Naummi, Demmani, No harm, no harm to Donnan’s (quoted below), they may well have Ernini, Ailchon, Domnani. 8 appropriated her grazing rights. In the Martyrology of Oengus, the dust.’ Whatever the reason, in 617, as entry for 17th April states: legend has it, she ordered the At the feast of Peter the Deacon, Honor Hania is a librarian at islanders to kill the monks. Newly who advanced to victorious Glasgow University whose converted to Christianity, they martyrdom, with his followers, a responsibilities include Celtic and refused, so she then sent her own fair assembly, Donnan of chilly Gaelic studies. warriors to the island. According to Eig.5 one account, when they arrived, it It is said that the islanders buried was a Sunday and Donnan and his the saint’s ashes and bones in a 1. O’Clery. M. The Martyrology of community were at Mass. Donnan mound which was for a long time Donegal: a calendar of the saints of asked the warriors to wait until the known as Cnoc Dhonnain. Despite Ireland. Irish Archaeological and Celtic the tragedy, however, the monastery liturgy had finished, and as they left Society, 1864. the church he and the rest of the Donnan founded seems to have 2. Stokes, W. (ed). The Martyrology of monks were beheaded one by one. remained functioning; the Annals of Oengus the Culdee. London: Henry They were then burnt. Ulster notes that one Oan, abbot of Bradshaw Society, 1905. Donnan then went with his people Eig died over a hundred years later 3. Stokes, W. (ed). The Martyrology of 6 to the Hebrides; and they took up in 725 . Oengus the Culdee. London: Henry their abode there, in a place where Recent excavations carried out on Bradshaw Society, 1905. the sheep of the Queen of the Eigg have revealed evidence of the 4. Best, R. and Lawlor, H. (ed). The country were kept. This was told to oval enclosure of Donnan’s 7th Martyrology of Tallaght. London: Henry the Queen. Let them all be killed, century monastic settlement. Today Bradshaw Society, 1931. said she. That would not be a the site is occupied by the ruins of a 5. Stokes, W. (ed). The Martyrology of religious act, said her people. But 16h century church and graveyard. Oengus the Culdee. London: Henry they were murderously assailed. At The current Catholic Church, built Bradshaw Society, 1905. that time the cleric was at Mass. Let at Cleadale on the west of the 6. Mac Airt, Seán and Mac Niocail, us have respite till Mass is ended, island, is called St. Donnan’s, and is Gearóid Mac Niocaill (ed). The Annals of said Donnan. Thou shalt have it, served from St Marys, Arisaig. Ulster (to A.D. 1131) Dublin Institute for said they. And when it was over Erected in 1910 it had fallen into Advanced Studies, 1983. they were slain, every one of them3 disrepair before being restored and 7. Farmer, David Hugh. The Oxford Another account has them being rededicated in 2012. Dictionary of Saints. Oxford University marched to the refectory which was In addition to this church on Eigg, Press, 5th ed. 2003. then set on fire. there are, according to the Oxford 8. Mcleod, K.(ed). Songs of the Hebrides, Whatever the manner of their Dictionary of Saints7, at least ten and other Celtic songs from the Highlands death, Donnan and the names of his other churches named after St of Scotland. London: Boosey & Co, 1909. companions are listed in the Donnan in Scotland. He was Vol.2.

October 2014 OPEN HOUSE 11 Interfaith relations

STEPHEN KELLY AND STEPHEN SMYTH Pilgrimage for peace across Scotland

‘Oneness-Dream’ is an international male voice a cappella singing group whose members follow the spiritual teachings of Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007), the renowned Indian spiritual master, composer, artist and athlete. The group came to Scotland from 6th -14th Sept 2014 as part of an ongoing ‘world pilgrimage’ for peace.

Pilgrimage is a familiar practice in devotional songs composed by Sri on to the Isle of Whithorn, a many religious traditions. It Chinmoy. Most of these are in his possible site for Ninian’s first involves a journey which is both native Bengali, but many are in monastery. There they sang in the physical (to a place) and spiritual English. Some are based on Gospel ruins of the 14th century St (to deeper faith, understanding and verses. They sing in unison in a Ninian’s chapel. Mid-afternoon insight). Meeting with other people traditional Indian style. The style is found us in Samye Ling, the on the road helps to deepen each meditative and deeply spiritual. Buddhist monastery in other’s experience and reflection. We had prepared an ambitious Eskdalemuir: an increasingly Pilgrims seek to be spiritually programme, involving 15 ‘events’ popular and remarkable piece of transformed, to return home and travelling over 1,000 miles Tibet in the Southern Uplands. refreshed and inspired. The through some of Scotland’s most That evening the group visited the Oneness-Dream Scotland beautiful scenery. The weather was extraordinary Rosslyn Chapel Pilgrimage very much lived up to stunning, showing the countryside (Scottish Episcopal Church) these expectations. and venues at their magnificent outside Edinburgh. This was their Stephen Kelly (Adarsha) has been best. Equally, the welcome we only ‘concert’ of the pilgrimage, a disciple of Sri Chinmoy and a received at every venue showed singing to an audience of 50 people member of Oneness-Dream for Scotland’s people and religious and helping to raise funds for many years. He felt it was time for traditions at their most open and Rosslyn. By this time the group the group to come to Scotland, to engaging best. was beginning to appreciate visit some of our ‘sacred sites’ and Our first event, on Sunday 7th something of the ancient Christian to share their message of peace and Sept, was at the Hindu Mandir in and the contemporary multi-faith harmony. He approached Stephen Glasgow. The Mandir celebrations nature of Scottish society - as well Smyth, an old friend with many were for ‘Ganesh Puja’, one of the as the beauty of our countryside. ecumenical and interfaith most important days in the Hindu The evening finished with very connections, to help in the calendar. The group sang for 30 welcome dinner in the house of a planning of the trip. Stephen minutes and were warmly received family of disciples in Edinburgh. (Smyth) liked the idea and had the and appreciated. Later that day the On Tuesday 9, Oneness-Dream pleasure of travelling with the group sang in Gorbals Parish offered a ‘garland of song’ around group on the pilgrimage. Church (Church of Scotland) who Glasgow. They began in St The group consisted of 13 singers run several choirs, some of whose Mungo’s Cathedral (Church of and a team of four technical members came to support the Scotland), followed by St Andrew’s support staff. They came from ten event. Cathedral (Roman Catholic) and St different nations. Other disciples The following day was very Ninian’s (Scottish Episcopal and friends joined the party at ambitious. We left early to travel Church) singing for 20-30 minutes various points. first to Whithorn where the group in each. They finished in the The Oneness-Dream repertoire is sang in the Visitors Centre and the Hidden Gardens where a yellow Sri drawn from the thousands of crypt of the medieval ruins; then Chinmoy rose has been flourishing

12 OPEN HOUSE October 2014 for many years. Each chants for Oneness-Dream. venue offered Friday evening brought important insights the final ‘event’ of the into history and pilgrimage: a 45 minute tradition as well as meditative song cycle for a how to overcome group of disciples and division and work friends in the Sri Chinmoy together for the Centre on Edinburgh’s common good. Royal Mile. It was a fitting That afternoon we and convivial conclusion travelled to Kilmartin, to a deep, varied and near Oban. In the transformational week. surrounding The whole pilgrimage countryside there are turned out to be a series of over 600 sites of highlights with different historical interest individuals responding dating back to about more deeply to different 10,000 BC. The places. The landscape, the group sang in history, the venues and the Kilmartin church people all played their part (Church of Scotland), in making the experience in the lapidary in the so rich. The overall graveyard and beside response from the singers the Nether Largie was hugely positive. The standing stones in the deep spirituality of the valley below. It was group and the meditative humbling to consider Preparing to sing at Pluscarden. offering of their devotional such a long history of Thursday 11th was the only day songs were much human life and the search for with no commitments. There was appreciated by their various meaning. time to simply enjoy being tourists. ‘audiences’. We are sure that all The following morning we were Some of the more athletic members who were part of this innovative on the early boat from Oban to of the group took the opportunity Mull on our way to Iona. The pilgrimage experience came away morning was beautiful, the sea to climb Ben Nevis: setting off in touched, uplifted and enriched. placid and the sky immense. The the very early morning and getting Recordings and photographs from day just kept getting better. On back in time for lunch. We then the trip will soon be available on Iona, Oneness-Dream sang for 30 journeyed up along Loch Ness (no, the Oneness-Dream website at minutes in the abbey, where a we didn’t see Nessie…) and stayed www.onenessdream.org. the night in Inverness. group of about 40 people enjoyed Stephen Kelly (Adarsha) is a Friday morning found us in the unexpected experience. disciple of Sri Chinmoy and works Pluscarden Abbey where the Members of the Iona Community in a senior position in the arts in community welcomed us warmly then met with the group to share Glasgow. stories of their history, spirituality and generously and allowed the and social action. Afterwards, the group to sing and record in the Stephen Smyth is a Marist Brother group sang for 10 minutes in St chapel. The subsequent and recently retired as General Oran’s chapel and had about 90 conversations about singing, Secretary of ACTS (Action of minutes to enjoy the island before spirituality and community were Churches Together in Scotland). heading back to the ferry. The very rich. We then travelled up to They have been friends for almost journey back across Mull and the Findhorn Foundation and sang 50 years, following different onwards to Fort William was a in the community hall at the end of spiritual paths. They both grew up time of quiet and appreciative lunch. A group of the residents in Drumchapel, Glasgow, and met reflection. responded by singing some Taizé at a city centre youth drama group.

October 2014 OPEN HOUSE 13 Evangelii Gaudium

NOEL DONNELLY The Francis effect in the pews

An adult education specialist who has been leading discussions on Pope Francis’ letter Evangelii Gaudium reports on how it has been received.

It is almost a year since Pope Francis structures to enable them to become for the perfect but a powerful medicine issued his long letter of encouragement more mission-oriented’(27). and nourishment for the weak (47). I to the church, Evangelii Gaudium, prefer a Church which is bruised, They were happily astonished to hear (The Joy of the Gospel) at the end of hurting and dirty because it has been that Pope Francis also considers ‘a the Year of Faith. I have been leading out on the streets, rather than a Church conversion of the papacy to help make sessions on this with various groups concerned with being at the centre and this ministry more faithful to the where the enthusiastic reaction has then ends by being caught up in a web meaning which Jesus Christ wished to been: ‘This is pure dead brilliant! We of obsessions and procedures. More give it and to the present needs of mustn’t let it gather dust and die!’ than by fear of going astray, my hope is evangelization. The hope that the The groups of adults who came to that we will be moved by the fear of Episcopal Conferences might contribute discussion sessions on Evangelii remaining shut up within structures to the concrete realisation of the Gaudium consisted of ‘ordinary’ which give us a false sense of security, collegial spirit has not been fully parishioners, few of whom would be within rules which make us harsh realised.(32) A sound decentralisation accustomed to getting hold of a Roman judges, within habits which make us is necessary’ (16). text and reading its 300 long feel safe, while at our door people are paragraphs. In practice, while this is References to the ‘openness’ needed for starving and Jesus does not tire of not ideal, I took the liberty of copying the renewal of evangelisation was saying to us: ‘Give them something to key passages from each chapter and warmly received. ‘A sign of God’s eat (Mk 6:37)’ (49). offering them for discussion during openness is that our church doors We were fired up by Francis’ fighting four 90-minute sessions, supporting should always be open so that those words: ‘the life of the Church often them with pictures and symbols. Every who seek God will not find a closed turns into a museum piece or something session began and ended with prayer. door; nor should the doors of the which is the property of a select few. In People took away these summaries and sacraments be closed for simply any some, this spiritual worldliness lurks prayers and reflected on them at home reason’. behind a fascination with social and before sharing insights when we next There was much discussion on the political gain, or pride in their ability to met. These key texts and some of the particular openness for receiving the manage practical affairs, or an reactions of the participants which Eucharist. ‘The Eucharist is not a prize obsession with programmes of self-help follow may be useful for us in and self-realization. It can also translate maintaining the dynamism of the into a concern to be seen, into a social Pope’s exhortation. ‘I prefer a Church which is life full of appearances, meetings, The church’s mission dinners and receptions. It can also lead bruised, hurting and dirty to a business mentality, caught up with Our first session was on the first because it has been out on management, statistics, plans and chapter, Transformation in the evaluations whose principal beneficiary Church’s Mission. Five areas were the streets, rather than a is not God’s people but the Church as outstanding in stimulating our Church concerned with an institution. Closed and elite groups reflections: being at the centre and are formed, and little effort is made to Participants warmed to this hopeful then ends by being caught go forth and seek out those who are text:‘There is a need for a pastoral and up in a web of obsessions distant or the immense multitudes who missionary conversion, which cannot thirst for Christ. Evangelical fervour is leave things as they presently are (25) and procedures’. replaced by the empty pleasure of ... and a renewal of ecclesiastical complacency and self-indulgence’ (95).

14 OPEN HOUSE October 2014 Commitment today though the task of evangelisation was a because lay persons have not been Our second session explored chapter dangerous poison rather than a joyful given the formation needed to take on two, Challenges to Commitment response to God’s love which summons important responsibilities. In others it is Today. There were five areas which us to mission and makes us fulfilled because room has not been made for particularly impressed the groups, and productive (81). A tomb them to speak and to act, due to an psychology develops and slowly excessive clericalism which keeps them ‘Just as the commandment “Thou shalt transforms Christians into mummies in away from decision-making’ (102). not kill” sets a clear limit in order to a museum’ (83). We reflected on how Proclaiming the gospel safeguard the value of human life, to sharpen up and stimulate our today we also have to say “thou shalt motivation. Our third session was on chapter three, not” to an economy of exclusion and The Pope’s words on the maleness of The Proclamation of the Gospel. The inequality. Such an economy kills. How the ordained priesthood caused much groups had strong opinions on the can it be that it is not a news item when discussion. ‘The reservation of the sermons they experienced. Three texts an elderly homeless person dies of priesthood to males, as a sign of Christ in particular stimulated comment: exposure, but it is news when the stock the Spouse who gives himself in the The content of the sermon: ‘A market loses two points? This is a case Eucharist, is not a question open to preaching which would be purely of exclusion. Can we continue to stand discussion, but it can prove especially moralistic or doctrinaire, or one which by when food is thrown away while divisive if sacramental power is too turns into a lecture on biblical exegesis, people are starving? This is a case of closely identified with power in general. detracts from a heart-to-heart inequality. Today everything comes It must be remembered that when we communication. (142) The preacher under the laws of competition and the speak of sacramental power we are in needs to keep his ear to the people ... survival of the fittest, where the the realm of function, not that of while paying attention to actual people, powerful feed upon the powerless’ (53). dignity or holiness. Ministerial to using their signs and symbols, to In stark contrast was Francis’ priesthood is one means employed by answering the questions they ask’ challenge to private revelations and Jesus for the service of his people, yet (154). popular piety. ‘At times greater our great dignity derives from baptism, emphasis is placed on the outward The language of the sermon: ‘Preachers which is accessible to all. The expressions and traditions of some often use words learned during their configuration of the priest to Christ the groups, or on alleged private studies which are not part of the revelations which would replace all head does not imply an exaltation ordinary language of their hearers. else, than on the impulse of Christian which would set him above others. In These are words that are suitable in piety. There is a kind of Christianity the Church, functions do not favour theology or catechesis, but whose made up of devotions reflecting an the superiority of some vis-à-vis the meaning is incomprehensible to the individual and sentimental faith life. others. Indeed, a woman, Mary, is majority of Christians. The greatest risk Some people promote these expressions more important than the bishops. Even for a preacher is that he becomes so while not being in the least concerned when the function of ministerial accustomed to his own language that with the advancement of society or the priesthood is considered ‘hierarchical’, he thinks that everyone else naturally formation of the laity, and in certain it must be remembered that it is totally understands and uses it’ (158). cases they do so in order to obtain ordered to the holiness of Christ’s The length of the sermon: ‘The homily economic benefits or some power over members. Its key and axis is not power should be brief and avoid taking on the others’ (70). understood as domination, but the semblance of a lecture. If the homily The group reflected on the power to administer the sacrament of goes on too long, it will affect two temptations to pastoral workers, either the Eucharist; this is the origin of its characteristic elements of the liturgical to sloth or burn-out. ‘Many lay people authority, which is always one of celebration: its balance and its rhythm’ fear that they may be asked to service to God’s people. This presents a (138). Some participants commented undertake some apostolic work yet great challenge for pastors and that they were experiencing a 15-20 they seek to avoid any responsibility theologians, who are in a position to minute sermon followed by a four that may take away from their free recognize more fully what this entails minute Eucharistic Prayer! time. For example, it has become very with regard to the possible role of difficult today to find trained parish women in decision-making in different The social dimension areas of the Church’s life’ (104). Group catechists. Something similar is also Our final session was on chapter four, comments could be summarised as happening with priests who are The Social Dimension of ‘Well, yes, but....’ obsessed with protecting their free time. Evangelisation. This is frequently due to the fact that ‘A clear awareness of the people feel an overbearing need to responsibility of the laity does not ‘It is no longer possible to claim that guard their personal freedom, as appear in all places. In some cases, it is religion should be restricted to the

October 2014 OPEN HOUSE 15 Men’s spirituality private sphere and that it exists only JIM MCMILLAN to prepare souls for heaven’ (182).

‘I want to say, with regret, that the worst discrimination which the poor Ecce Homo suffer is the lack of spiritual care. Our preferential option for the poor must A man who is concerned about modern constructs of mainly translate into a privileged and masculinity takes up some of the issues raised by preferential religious care’ (200). Dermot Lamb’s article on men’s spirituality in last ‘Doubly poor are those women who month’s Open House. endure situations of exclusion, mistreatment and violence, since they are frequently less able to defend their rights. Even so, we constantly witness I read Dermot Lamb’s piece (‘Men anodyne nonsense posing as among them impressive examples of weep too’ Sept 14) with interest. preaching. To suggest that the There is clearly something seriously Church, in the person of the clerics, daily heroism in defending and worrying about the construct of might bring something to the protecting their vulnerable families’ masculinity in Western post- discourse on masculinity would be (212). industrial countries. From the bordering on the bizarre. overcrowded women’s refuges here Essentially, the formal Church here ‘I ask God to give us more politicians in Scotland to Syria, Iraq, Ukraine in Scotland seems to me to have got capable of sincere and effective and a dozen other conflicts around lost in the mists of time and lost its dialogue aimed at healing the deepest the globe, it seems the boys are not way. Out of touch not only with roots – and not simply the doing very well in learning to live ‘the faithful’ but with the Gospel. appearances – of the evils in our together. Indeed, in learning to live. Then there is ‘we’. Who is this world! Politics, though often I smiled when I read Dermot refer ‘we’? I do not see any men or men’s denigrated, remains a lofty vocation to the ‘church’ and ‘we’. What do groups capable of entering into a we mean when we say ‘church’? dialogue with the wider Church and one of the highest forms of Who is this ‘we’ he refers to? It (where there are few men in the charity, inasmuch as it seeks the seems there is an assumption that pews). Does the average man make common good’ (205). there is a ‘church’ and a ‘we’ a connection between the Gospel between whom there is potential and himself AS A MAN? Dr Noel Donnelly is a consultant in for dialogue. I fail to see where this Dermot’s reference to 12 Step adult faith development in the dyad exists. Even if we could locate Groups fails to see within them the Archdiocese of Glasgow. it, would dialogue be possible? The necessary condition for ‘conversion’ church does not enter into dialogue which is to discover one’s need for but prefers to speak didactically. ‘salvation’. The first of the 12 Steps The problem today is that no one is says ‘We admitted we were More than 2,000 pastoral listening. Even the remnant is powerless...and our lives had workers from around the becoming threadbare. become unmanageable’. Very few world gathered in Rome last The Catholic Church is of course men see their masculinity as managed and run by men. Our something to be recovered from. month to explore Evangelii disastrous recent history Not masculinity per se, for God Gaudium, which Pope demonstrates the sorry state of does not make rubbish. Rather the Francis has referred to as the masculinity within that particular construct of masculinity as programme for his papacy. coterie. Apart from the scandals, experienced in modern society. Bishops, priests, catechists one only has to attend the average Indeed throughout history men and pastoral workers parish Mass on Sunday to hear have found reason to slaughter explored the letter in depth what is being said about life each other. It seems that if there is with the help of generally. It would be a surprise, no not an obvious cause for conflict a shock, if any were to raise issues men will invent one. international speakers. like family violence and oppression. Since the earliest times, the Increasingly we are served up Church developed an apparent

16 OPEN HOUSE October 2014 loathing for everything to do with ‘the answer. There have been valiant or in the canteen or the pub. But never flesh’ seeing it as at odds with God and attempts by men over the past few in the Church, so negatively the life of the Spirit. Ignatius Loyola decades to wrestle with this preoccupied by sex, but which cannot understood that we can only know conundrum. Within the Catholic engage meaningfully with the subject. God through the created world and tradition Rohr is perhaps the most What do men think they are doing provided a programme (inherited by creative and is a significant voice when having sex? By that I mean, what the 12 Steppers incidentally! The within the wider discourse. meaning do they ascribe to their sex pattern of the 12 Step programme has The problem, it seems to me, lies in lives? Language such as ‘conquest’ is a remarkable similarity to the Spiritual not having the language with which to often used in describing the sexual Exercises). Who is going to come along engage in the dialogue. Where do we activity of men. Men talk of ‘scoring’ to church and say, ‘My name is Joe and find such language? There is a or ‘getting’ when referring to sex. The I’m a man’? Who in the church would substantial literature on this question. underlying tone is of getting or taking be in a position to help Joe find his Is it possible to convene men around or being given sex. How would the way out of such a malaise? Who would such questioning? notion of surrender or self gift sit with even know what he was talking about? Then of course there is Jesus. What men? Do you think of the sex you have Richard Rohr in his lovely wee book are we to make of Him and His as sacramental? What does that mean? ‘Adam’s Return’ makes the point that assuming the role of victim? I mean, Difficult in a Church that has boys do not become men by the what kind of man is this who can’t passage of time when they achieve 18 even stand up for himself or assert historically viewed sex as almost a or 21 years of age. No, every culture himself over against his detractors? Is necessary evil. had processes through which boys He the kind of man I would be willing Yes indeed, men weep too, but it is made the transition to manhood. In to become? The forgiving victim? How the burden of carrying this disfigured today’s post-industrial societies we do we view Jesus offering no resistance version of ourselves that is breaking have lost those rites of passage. Indeed to the authorities? Do we see him as our backs and our spirits. The it is questionable whether older men, being emasculated, less of a man? challenge is enormous but we must not who were not brought into adulthood The divide between him and the rely on the Church or the disfigured ritually themselves, have the resources heroes of our times seems men who run it to come up with any or ability to help boys transition into unbridgeable. The sixth Step of the answers. As always they will catch up adult men. It seems to me that groups 12 Steps is, ‘We became entirely ready with the Zeitgeist when the who have tried to begin the process of to have these defects of character conversation has moved on and will ‘men’s work’ have struggled to find a removed’. find themselves, again, talking to language within which the discourse Sexism and the sinister reality of themselves. can take place. This is perhaps because masculinity have roots in sex. It is weopen do house not havegift asubscription narrative with form:Layout which 1 interesting 30/9/14 that12:51 men Page will 1 talk about sex Jim McMillan is a retired social to frame the question far less the in the changing room at the sports club worker.

Open House gift subscription form Great gift idea: a year’s worth of comment and debate on faith issues in Scotland

Your name and address: Recipient’s name and address:

Postcode: Postcode:

Send your completed form with a cheque for £25 made payable to Open House to: Mary Cullen, 66 Cardross Road, Dumbarton G82 4JQ. Thank you for supporting Open House.

October 2014 OPEN HOUSE 17 from Sir Daniel Macaulay Stevenson as a special edition of the existing NOTEBOOK (1851 – 1944) a Glasgow-born engineer, Saturday Post. Hundreds of DC politician and philanthropist. Thomson employees were at the front John Durkan lecture and many sent back eye witness One World week accounts. David Thomson motored to The work of historian Dr John Durkan One World Week, a charity which France with his chauffeur and reported will be celebrated in a public lecture to promotes awareness of global justice on the conflict. The newspaper mark the centenary of his birth at the issues every October, has chosen the continued after the war with the first University of Glasgow on 27th October. theme of ‘living differently’ for the focus edition of the new Sunday Post The lecture, which will be given by of this year’s week which runs from published in January 1919. Professor Sir Tom Devine, takes place in the Sir Charles Wilson Building lecture 19th – 26th October. The famous comic characters created theatre at 1 University Ave and begins at ‘Living differently’ recognises that we by Dudley D Watkins – Oor Wullie and 5pm. If you would like to attend, send all need to make changes to secure a the Broons – appeared in the new fun an email to [email protected] fairer life for everyone, whilst protecting section in 1936 and their annuals Dr John Durkan (1914-2006) was a the planet’s resources for future became part of Christmas for Glasgow schoolteacher who built up an generations. People are invited to generations of Scottish children. international reputation for his work on organise events in their local Hen and Joe Broon enlisted when World Scottish cultural, intellectual and communities which promote active War Two broke out. ecclesiastical history. He was a founding citizenship through sourcing food By the 1980s an estimated six out of member of the Scottish Catholic differently, reducing wastefulness and ten adults in the country read the Historical Association in 1950 and using money ethically to support the Sunday Post. At its peak it was named contributed to the Association’s journal changes people would like to see. by the Guinness Book of Records as the The Innes Review. He wrote extensively The One World Week website offers most read paper in the world in its on educational development in Scotland, resources, ideas and suggestions about circulation area, with sales of more than including the formation and early years working across faith communities. 1.7 million in a country of five million of the University of Glasgow. See www.oneworldweek.org people. Today its sales are closer to The challenge of citizenship Jings Crivvens 200,000. The Post came out for No in the Professor Werner Jeanrond will return The Sunday Post is celebrating its 100th independence referendum. The historian to Glasgow later this month to deliver a birthday. The couthy ‘family’ newspaper Tom Nairn famously said that Scotland lecture on citizenship. Professor was the creation of Dundee firm DC will be free when the last minister is Jeanrond, who was Professor of Divinity Thomson and helped put the third of strangled with the last copy of the at Glasgow University from 2008 - Dundee’s three Js – jam, jute and Sunday Post. The numbers of both may 2012, is currently Master of St Benet’s journalism - on the map. be in decline but freedom, some would Hall, University of Oxford. The Thomson family made their say, is as far away as ever. The lecture, which is entitled The fortune in international shipping and Challenge of good citizenship today: branched out into publishing with the Unsolicited mail Memory, Hope and the Crisis of Trust purchase of the Dundee Courier and will be given on Thursday 23rd October Argus in 1866. David Coupar Thomson If anyone has received unsolicited mail it has happened without the in the Sir Charles Wilson Building took responsibility for the family’s knowledge or permission of Lecture Theatre at 6pm. growing publishing interests and in Open House. We do not make The Stevenson Lectures in Citizenship, 1905 D C Thomson and Company was our subscriber list available to which are open to all, were established set up. The Sunday Post was created to anyone. in 1921 by a bequest to the University provide news of the war effort in 1914 LETTERS The Editor of Open Housevemail : [email protected] All correspondence, including email, must give full postal address and telephone number

Referendum bias editorials far from my reality. I have never interested in themselves is utter rubbish. It I am taken aback at your editorials in the come across a Yes campaigner and no Yes was a Labour government who slashed child August and September editions. As someone campaigner has even been round my poverty and raised pensioners out of who has been out in the schemes scheme. poverty, the SNP have done nothing in this campaigning for a No vote I find these To suggest that No voters are only regard. They wouldn’t even vote for a living

18 OPEN HOUSE October 2014 wage and most of their MPs didn’t even structures which enable all the people of bother turning up for the bedroom tax God to express their views and for these LIVING SPIRIT vote in Westminster! John Swinney is to be heard and responded to justly. quoted as saying he wouldn’t let Lumen Gentium (§40, 41) spells out The primary reason for Osborne off the hook when Labour in clearly the role of the followers of Christ evangelizing is the love of Jesus which we have Scotland urged him to help with the – all of them. There is too the ‘Sensus effects of the bedroom tax. Nationalism received, the experience Fidelium’ – ‘the entire body of the of salvation which urges by its very nature is divisive. Even Pope faithful, anointed as they are by the us to ever greater love of Francis warns about the dangers of Holy One, cannot err in matters of him. What kind of love separation, yet August’s editorial is belief’ (§5). ‘Subsidiarity’ is addressed would not feel the need to speak of the suggesting that Catalonia break from (Apostolicam Actuositatem §26) in its beloved ... to make him known. If we do not Spain, a disturbing prospect. Will the call for councils of the church, at every feel an intense desire to share this love, we Northern League in Italy be next, need to pray insistently that he will once level, which address the apostolic work because they want to share their wealth more touch our hearts. Standing before him of the Church in all areas. Such councils – I think not! with open hearts, letting him look at us, we are not widely present. Then to link subsidiarity in Catholic see that gaze of love which Nathaniel Then there are the teachings of glimpsed on the day when Jesus said to him: Social Teaching to a Yes vote and imply Catholic Social Justice including the ‘I saw you under the fig tree’. (Jn.1.48) How that even being part of the EU is preferential option for the poor. Many, good it is to stand before a crucifix, or on questionable under this heading is just probably most, Catholic congregations our knees before the Blessed Sacrament and dangerous. In this world of today we simply to be in his presence! How much are aware and active in this area, and should be joining together whenever we good it does us when he once more touches have the opportunity, not breaking aware too of their political our lives and impels us to share his new life! apart. And then to patronise the reader responsibility in this regard. This was a What then happens is that ‘we speak of by adding ‘let’s take time for a bit of factor many considered in making a what we have seen and heard!’ (1 Jn. 1:3). prayer’...what is a BIT of prayer? decision on how to vote in the recent The best incentive for sharing the Gospel Florence Boyle, in her message from referendum. comes from contemplating it with love, lingering over its pages and reading it with the treasurer, is asking for more So there is much for all of us to think the heart. If we approach it in this way, its about besides the political difficulties subscriptions. I couldn’t in all beauty will amaze and constantly excite us... seriousness invite anyone I know to read which will arise as a result of the We need to recover a contemplative spirit this journal which takes such a referendum vote. Could this be an which can help us to realise ever anew that prominent bias on an editorial. My opportunity for us to look also at the we have been entrusted with a treasure husband and myself are seriously way our Church functions? And which makes us more human and helps us reconsidering our subscription to Open perhaps raise our voices, albeit gently to lead a new life. House. and courteously?. Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, Art. 264. CTS, 2013 Mary and Andy Glen, AIRDRIE Ahilya Noone, GLASGOW

Referendum opportunity Francis de Sales Late have I loved you, Beauty so ancient and For many voters the referendum on so new, Thank you to Mary Hardy for pointing Late have I loved you! independence for Scotland was about out the importance for today of St Lo, you were within, democracy, subsidiarity and justice. Francis de Sales’ Introduction to the but I outside, seeking there for you, Voting Yes was a vote for a more Devout Life. It sustained Catholics at a and upon the shapely things you have made democratic government in Scotland and time when they had only rare access to I rushed headlong, one that is just. Subsidiarity requires Mass. They had to retreat into their I misshapen. decision making at the most appropriate You were with me, but I was not with you. own ‘little oratory’. The only surprise level by those who are affected by the They held me back from you, was that she thought his advice against outcomes. Catholic Social Teaching those things which would have no being, games of chance was a bit dated. The emphasises justice and the preferential were they not in you. average Main Street today is being filled option for the poor, as Pope Francis has You called, shouted, broke through my up with betting shops. deafness: emphasised in Evangelii Gaudium. you flared, blazed, banished my blindness; Democracy involves creating A Smith, FIFE you lavished your fragrance, I gasped, and now I pant for you; I tasted you, and I hunger and thirst, You touched me, and I burned for your Send your comment in a letter to the editor by Friday peace. 31st October for inclusion in November’s edition of St Augustine. Translated by Maria Boulding, Open House. [email protected] from The Heart’s time by Janet Morley, SPCK London 2013.

October 2014 OPEN HOUSE 19 literature what Downton Abbey has who was hardly in the world yet can be BOOKS done for repertory theatre. absorbed by minds 30 years older and At the other end of the literary and more as simple commentary on what it A Prayer Journal artisan market place is the newly means to keep believing in ‘this life that published (end of last year in the US) A seems so treacherous, so disappointing’. Prayer Journal by Flannery O’Connor. Flannery O’Connor Flannery O’Connor died at the age of If you are not familiar with this quiet, Farrar, Strauss & Giroux 2013 39 and there may be something in her late woman of letters change that now. (USA) Start with anything. Her short stories early experience of the disease that would kill her that informed these As a recent Kindle are what she is best known for: ‘A profoundly interior and reflective convert I have been Good Man is Hard to Find’; guiltily appalled by ‘Everything That Rises Must musings. But there is nothing of the the speed with which Converge’. Novels less so, but Wise sickly girl about her or her writing. I dumped all my Blood belongs in the canon of southern This is more Toni Morrison than previously held American literature, and she with the Elizabeth Barratt Browning. And at Luddite principles big names of its patriarchy: Faulkner, times a little Billie Holliday: and righteous talk Twain and Williams. ‘Am I trying to shock with God? Am I about the physical In her early twenties, which was also trying to push Him in there violently, the age at which I discovered her, she reality of ‘THE BOOK’. feet foremost? Maybe that’s all right. kept a prayer diary. Brought up The ease with which I now pick up the Maybe if I’m doing it it’s all right?’ slim, light little machine and tap to turn Catholic in the deep south of the 1930s There isn’t a Kindle version of this the page is only occasionally blighted and 40s, her sheltered home life and by the passing thought that the the ravages of segregation created a book and if you buy it you will beautiful book may finally disappear split in her developing mind that is understand why. The publishers have thanks to this very ease. But then evident in the early writings of an inspiringly reprinted her original another thought occurs (and was emerging woman, talent and Christian. handwritten notes. Half of the book is recently echoed on Newsnight). Faith was something she clung to a faithful facsimile of her journal. This Namely, that it is the mass produced through, and sometimes despite, her really is one of those times when there paperback that’s in most danger. The intellect, recognising as she did so that just isn’t a substitute for holding the fine hardback volume will always have there comes a point where rationale thing, feeling its pages between your will not do. On speculating about the its place, and may indeed be reborn as fingers and letting your eyes roam the truly valued work of art it once nature of any possible ‘heaven’ she across the handwritten words. It’s the was. remarks: The people most likely to be ‘pit oot’ ‘But I do not mean to be clever opposite of the instant purchase by this development, as the recent although I do mean to be clever on 2nd download. Elegant, tangible, visually Newsnight item highlighted, are the thought and like to be clever & want to and emotionally piercing, it is an objet billionaire publishers and their celebrity be considered so’. d’art as well as a reading joy and may authors who have been causing a bit of For a young woman who wanted to be among a new breed of publication a stink about the colossus that is believe and also wanted to be about which the compliment will be Amazon wrecking their market. There considered clever this brought ‘not available on Kindle’. are no points to be had by defending consolation as well as a smile of She was to writing about the inner life Amazon but the giants of popular self-recognition. The extraordinary what Billie Holliday was to the blues. publishing have blood on their fly leafs thing about this volume is that the faith too. JK Rowling having done for struggles and questions of a 22 year old Lynn Jolly

the Nazi party. The Jewish FILM Arendt fled first to France and then to the USA where Hannah Arendt (2013) she became the first woman to be appointed as Directed by: Margarethe von Trotta a lecturer at Princeton. Starring: Barbara Sukowa, Axel The year before she died in Milberg, Janet McTeer. 1975 she gave the Gifford Lectures in the University Hannah Arendt was a student and of Aberdeen on the moral lover of Martin Heidegger, the most nature of thinking. famous philosopher of the 20th The film shows century. In 1933 the Catholic flashbacks to her affair Heidegger, in order to succeed Husserl with Heidegger but the as Rector of Freiburg University, joined main action focuses on her

20 OPEN HOUSE October 2014 Arendt faced two problems. First, like her, the majority of well off German The legacy of Jews (65%) had bought their way out. Secondly who had spoken up for Rev Dr Ian Paisley the less well off? Most of those who were killed lived in lands to the East which the Nazis wanted to take over 1926-2014 (90% of Polish Jews died). Arendt tried to bring to these questions the Ian Paisley’s declining political power mind of a philosopher. From and influence were well documented. Heidegger, whose doctoral thesis was on John Duns Scotus (Arendt’s was His declining health widely known, if on St Augustine), she had taken the less reported. When news came of his need to reflect not on (wo)man in the death, official responses were, on the abstract but on the actions of whole, sensitive and articulate. individual women and men. The film tries to give some sense of Deputy First Minister, Martin her thinking on the human condition McGuiness, commented, ‘past history Arendt and Heidegger had a complex by having the actress, Barbara shows we were political opponents relationship, which ended only with Sukowa, read some of her lectures to but on this day, I think I can say students. Arendt was grappling not Arendt’s death in 1975. without fear of contradiction that I only with the conformity of the masses under totalitarian regimes but have lost a friend.’ Unofficial social decision in 1962 to report for the also with how ordinary people go media responses were somewhat New Yorker magazine the trial in along with the status quo. It was after more diffuse. To some he was a hero: Jerusalem of Adolf Eichmann who reading Arendt that the psychologist a preacher, protestor, and prophet, had been kidnapped in Argentina by Stanley Milgram conducted the the Israelis. The legendary editor, notorious experiment in which he with the courage to say what needed William Shawn, was apprehensive was able to use his authority to to be said, and do what needed to be that her writing might prove to be too persuade his students to give real done. To others, he was a sectarian academic. In fact her articles caused a electric shocks to other students, bigot who inflamed tensions and sensation. Arendt, as a New York allegedly for reasons of research. acted as a consistent obstacle on the socialite, could not get over the fact We find it difficult to understand that the man credited with organising how modern Israelis can allow the road to peace. However, one rarely the Holocaust appeared to be killing of 2,000 poor Arabs in a reads a bad obituary. completely insignificant. She coined month. But in the last decade our own Paisley’s political and social the phrase - the banality of evil - with government has unleashed terror on contributions to Northern Ireland which she has ever since been hundreds of thousands of Iraqis associated. Gita Sereny made a without much protest from us. (and beyond) in the latter half of the similar point in her study of Franz Arendt’s point is that there are no evil 20th century were, for better or Stangl, the Kommandent at monsters. There are only people like worse, undeniable. When I grew up Treblinka. Joel Cang, reporting for ourselves who are too frightened of in Belfast, he was a figure that The Times on the trial of Rudolf Hoss losing what we have to make a stand loomed large on the horizon. His who ran Auschwitz, wrote ‘he was against the status quo. Her reflection the complete denial of any criminal on the human condition is that it is voice, instantly recognisable. His type theory’. marked by thoughtlessness, especially historic political intransigence, The film makes clear that this take with respect to the effects of our becoming a characteristic hallmark on the trial went down badly in Israel actions on others. That is as true of and caricature of a certain type of which had intended to portray the wealthy banker who accepts a Eichmann as an evil monster. It was salary one hundred times greater than unionism. His contributions were also taken as a betrayal of the his cleaner as it is of the common thief often categorised as predictably German Jewish establishment in New who steals from his neighbour’s purse. negative. Indeed, such was his York. Mary McCarthy was one of the reputation that John Hume, SDLP few literary figures who stood up for Norman Barry her. In the 2009 documentary politician, once asked him that if the Defamation, Yoav Shamir says that in Reviewers word ‘no’ was removed from the Manhatten they are quicker to detect English language, would he be Lynn Jolly is arts editor of anti-semitism than in Israel. Arendt speechless. Paisley famously went further. If such an insignificant Open House. quipped, ‘No, I wouldn’t.’ figure as Eichmann had been so Norman Barry is the pen name His political and religious career effective he must have had help. And of the long time film reviewer that help would have come not only for Open House. has been, and will continue to be, from Germans but also from Jews. dissected. All that I can offer are

October 2014 OPEN HOUSE 21 some personal reflections as a Reflecting on the death of Ian relationship must not be forgotten. Northern Irish Catholic with an Paisley, I find myself torn between an Northern Ireland is not a ‘post- acute awareness of the suffering awareness of what he was and an conflict’ society. It is a ‘post- experienced on all sides. For me, his appreciation of what he became. In settlement’ society. Conflict, vehemence against religious and some respects, Paisley became the unfortunately, persists. And yet it is political difference seemed to ultimate caricature of political and only a ‘post-settlement’ society exacerbate tensions in Northern religious intransigence and I often because of Paisley’s eventual Ireland at the very times when a wondered if he actually became willingness to engage in power word of calm – particularly from a trapped by some of the boundaries sharing. This is as much a part of his community leader – would have been he had created, both personally and legacy as his historic firebranding pertinent. It could have saved lives. politically. The sentiment here is well At a loyalist rally in 1968, following expressed by an instance in which anticatholicism. Which aspect of his attacks on Catholic homes, Paisley Gandhi was once asked by a wily legacy the people of Northern famously commented that those journalist what would he do if he Ireland choose to remember is not ‘Catholic homes caught fire because ever met Hitler (and I’m not here yet clear; the annals of history will they were loaded with petrol bombs; comparing Paisley to Hitler but likely decide. However, my hope is Catholic churches were attacked and rather emphasising the sentiment). that it will be both. And that in burned because they were arsenals Gandhi’s response was that he would remembering both, we will and priests handed out sub-machine tell Hitler that God loves him. The remember that change is possible. guns to parishioners.’ On the death thinking here was that by offering a That transition from even the most of Pope John XXIII, a man recently different response from that which entrenched positions is possible. But put forward by Jewish organisations was expected, he would open up that opening up ‘space’ for the other for recognition as a ‘Righteous ‘space’ for the other to respond also involves opening up ‘space’ for among the Nations’ for his efforts to differently. I often wondered how oneself (or one’s community) to act save Jews during World War II, much ‘space’ Paisley left himself to differently – and this can come at Paisley commented that ‘this Romish act differently. A career built on ‘no’ price. For without ‘space’ to act man of sin is now in hell!’ His leaves few avenues for development. infamous ‘Anti-Christ’ denunciation It should be noted that when he differently, we are destined to of Pope John Paul II’s address to the eventually did act differently, having perpetuate the status quo. Paisley, European Parliament (an institution been First Minister for just over a for all his faults, eventually provided he considered a precursor to the year, Paisley was eventually forced the ‘space’ for change. And while coming of the antichrist) in October out in 2008 from the political party I’m grateful to him for this, I’m less 1988 demonstrated comparable he had established, the Democratic grateful for the numerous historical sentiments. Unionist Party (DUP). For some of opportunities he had to contribute a He opposed the Northern Irish civil his supporters, the sight of him word of calm, at times of heighten rights movement, played a strong laughing with his ‘chuckle brother’, tensions, but did the contrary. Such hand in stoking temperatures during Martin McGuiness, was a bridge too times were opportunities for change the 1974 power sharing executive far. He had lost the support of his – however incremental – and yet he which eventually led to its downfall, party and rattled his supporters. often chose to exacerbate the protested outside the 1998 Good Having built a career and situation. As such, while grateful for Friday Agreement, and persistently constituency based on a ‘no’ what he eventually did, I’m equally flicked the on/off switch when it consensus, Paisley’s eventual ‘yes’ haunted by the question: why came to making the devolved marked the end of his political and government work in the early 2000s. religious career. He arguably became couldn’t he have done it sooner? It seemed to be his way or the a victim of his own intransigence. Anthony Allison highway. It was only following the Without doubt, however, Paisley 2006 St Andrew’s Agreement that represented a genuine sector of the Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness Northern Irish electorate. This was Dr Anthony Allison (Twitter: @ were elected as First and Deputy also an electorate that he helped antallison1) is an academic First Minister respectively – more shape and form over the course of a specialising in Christian-Muslim popularly known as the ‘chuckle half-century long political and relations and Religion and Society at brothers.’ religious career. This symbiotic the University of Edinburgh.

22 OPEN HOUSE October 2014 Moments in time OPEN HOUSE

We leave the Louis Agassiz first identified as Board members: busy main evidence of erosion by ice. Blackford Florence Boyle (Treasurer); thoroughfare Hill has almost perpendicular sides, Ian Fraser; Elizabeth Kearney; and walk along with gorse bushes growing on ledges. Jim McManus (Chair); a quiet side At the base, there is a thicket of Jennifer Stark; Michael Turnbull. road past a blackthorn; someone is hidden in the Editorial advisory group: short row of centre picking sloes; a prickly task. Linden Bicket; Honor Hania; Lynn stone houses. Soon we are on what We help ourselves to some brambles Jolly; Willy Slavin. feels like a country lane with fields of while blackbirds and thrushes are grazing cattle on our left and a steep Editor: Mary Cullen [email protected] rocky hillside on the right. The feeding on hawthorn berries. centre of Edinburgh is less than three The path goes under a footbridge Arts editor: Lynn Jolly [email protected] miles away but there are no and enters a thick wood. This is the habitations in sight; the city is Hermitage of Braid, where nearly Open House is published ten times completely concealed by Blackford fifty years ago I used to exercise my a year. We welcome letters and Hill. The larger Braid Hills to the landlady’s dogs. The path crosses contributions, which should be south contain not only the usual golf and re-crosses the burn, where we sent to the editor by the last courses but a working farm further glimpse a grey wagtail; sometimes Friday of the month before up the hill. The ancient keep of there are dippers here. We climb a publication. Articles should be no Liberton Tower stands on the slope to reach a lawn in front of a more than 1200 words long, and reviews no more than 800 words. horizon, a reminder of times past. small mansion house, Hermitage Letters and articles may be edited or The lane takes us beside the Braid House built in 1785, which is now Burn, heading west past an old held over for future editions. used as a Visitor Centre by quarry, now used as a Roads depot Edinburgh City Council countryside The opinions and ideas expressed by Edinburgh City Council. Here rangers. Surrounded by stately trees, by all our contributors are their the road turns into a rough track own and not accepted as those of this fine house retains the feel of the lined by small trees and bushes, Open House. already showing signs of autumn. period when it was the centre of a All correspondence about the Horses are feeding in the sloping small estate, well outside the content of Open House to the editor: fields where a path climbs up the boundary of Edinburgh. wooded Howe Dean to the Braid Mary Cullen, 66 Cardross Rd, Hills. We make a short detour to Tim Rhead Dumbarton G82 4JQ tel: 07909 594797 inspect some rocks with scratch Tim Rhead is a pastoral assistant in marks, which in 1840, the geologist the Episcopal Church. www.openhousescotland.co.uk SUBSCRIBE!

I wish to subscribe to Open House and enclose a cheque for £25. Additional donations are welcome.

Name ……………………………………………………………………...…...…...…...…...….....……………………..

Address ………………………………………………………………………...…...…...…...…...…...…...……………..

……………………………………...... ……….. Postcode …………………………………….....………

Tel …………………………………………… email …....…...... ……………………………………

Please send this form with a cheque made payable to Open House to: Mary Cullen, 66 Cardross Road, Dumbarton G82 4JQ. Thank you.

Printing: Let’s Talk Print, Macadam Pl., Dundee. Design: Iain MacPherson Design. Tel: 0141 639 8922. Tel: 01382 823000. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

October 2014 OPEN HOUSE 23 24 OPEN HOUSE October 2014