JOHN DEIGHAN met with many BISHOP JOHN CUNNINGHAM ordains young Scottish Catholics when permanent deacon Peter Marks he spoke at the Faith Movement at Mass celebrated in the Conference. Page 5 ‘cradle of Christianity.’ Pag e 2 No 5530 YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLICwww.sconews.co.uk NEWSPAPER SUPPORTS THE YEAR OF FAITH Friday August 9 2013 | £1 Largs parish mourns after retired couple are killed near St Mary’s ST MARY’S Star of the Sea parish in Largs is in shock after two married parishioners were killed in a tragic car accident just metres from the church. Great-grandparents Bob and Rose Simpson (below) died just hours apart after being knocked down as they crossed the road at 9.15 on Saturday morning. Bob, 87, was killed instantly and Rose, 84, was fatally injured. She died later in hospital. They had been married for 66 years. Parish priest Fr Eamon Flynn said the church community and the town were in shock. “It’s just dreadfully tragic,” Fr Flynn said. “They had been in the parish for many years, our thoughts and prayers are with PIC: PAUL McSHERRY the family.” The priest said he did not know if the couple had been walking to Mass when the accident happened. ‘Bitter, shaming and distressing’ “I don’t know that,” he said. “But they did come to Mass often, they were good practising I Bishop Gilbert expresses his profound sorrow over Fort Augustus Abbey abuse cases Catholics who were committed to the Church.” By Ian Dunn head Abbot Richard Yeo has given a full there to offer pastoral care and support detailed report for publication next year A 34-year-old woman, who apology to the abuse victims and taken as a ‘shepherd’ of the Church. that will give complete account of his- was driving the sports car, which BISHOP Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen responsibility. Bishop Gilbert also said the Church torical cases across Scotland. hit the couple, was not injured in has said it is ‘bitter, shaming and dis- The abbot has also given his full would increase its already vigilant efforts Tina Campbell, the safeguarding the accident but was taken to tressing’ that young boys were abused cooperation to police investigations and to prevent anything remotely similar adviser for Motherwell Diocese, said Inverclyde Hospital in Greenock by monks at the Fort Augustus Abbey expects the order to hold its own enquiry happening again, words that chime with these reports would show the ‘very as a precaution. School in the 1950s and 1960s. into the allegations. a separate Church announcement that robust’ structures the Church had in A report will be submitted to Bishop Gilbert travelled to St Peter’s later this year it would publish details place to prevent young people and vul- the procurator fiscal. A police and St Benedict’s parish in Fort Augus- Bishop Gilbert of its annual child protection audits in a nerable adults being put at risk. spokeswoman said they were tus last Sunday to celebrate Mass and In his homily at Fort Augustus last Sun- spirit of greater transparency. “We have a national safeguarding appealing for witnesses to the express his profound sorrow after hear- day, Bishop Gilbert (above) said: “It is “The Catholic Church in Scotland has office that co-ordinates advisers and accident to come forward to help ing news of the historic abuse cases. a most bitter, shaming and distressing been addressing this issue increasingly specialist teams in each diocese that with the investigation. A Church safeguarding advisor told thing that in this former Abbey School a effectively in recent years,” the bishop deal very efficiently with any allega- the SCO this week that the Church now small number of Baptised, consecrated said. “We want to work with all public tions,” she said. “Any illegal activity is has the ‘robust, rigorous systems’ in and ordained Christian men physically bodies who care for the young and vul- immediately reported to the police as place to help ensure such events are not or sexually abused those in their care.” nerable adults. We wish to share our well as the bishop.” repeated and it was vital that everyone ‘I know that Abbot Richard Yeo has experience and share best practice so Ms Campbell said the policies were used ‘common sense’ and embraced offered an apology to those who have that lessons can be learned and children in place to prevent abuse and that peo- child protection policy. suffered such abuse and I join him in can always be fully protected.” ple need to take them seriously. that,” he added. “We are anxious that “I’m hopeful that the new bishops Abuse allegations there be a thorough police investigation Church reports who are coming in now will be really The Scottish Church has continued to into all this. And, that all that can be The Church confirmed this week that it on top of this,” she said. face the spectre of abuse this week fol- done should be done for the victims. will publish full reports, compiled by its Ms Campbell said the many arrests lowing last week’s BBC Scotland inves- All of us must surely pray for those National Office of Child Safety, of any over historic child abuse that have tigation that uncovered a number of cases who have suffered.” allegations made against priests, staff or come to light in wider society in the of child abuse at the Fort Augustus Abbey A Church spokesman told the SCO volunteers and how these were resolved. past year show just what could happen school, which lies within Aberdeen Dio- that Bishop Gilbert, former abbot of In the autumn, the Church will release ‘if rigorous safeguarding policies’ were cese, and Carlekemp, its feeder school, Pluscarden Abbey, heard about what the audits dating back to 2006, when ‘not enforced.’ in East Lothian. More alleged victims had happened at Fort Augustus Abbey coordinated procedures were first put in have since come forward. on his way back from World Youth Day place across the whole country. The I [email protected] Both schools, now closed, were run in Rio and, as Fort Augustus is within exercise will then be repeated annually. by the English Benedictine order, whose his diocese, immediately wanted to go The Church is also preparing a more I Opinion section pages 8 and 9 SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT I tel 0141 221 4956 I fax 0141 221 4546 I e-mail [email protected] 2 PICTURE NEWS THE SCO SUPPORTS THE YEAR OF FAITH SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday August 9 2013 (Left) The Laying on of Hands during the permanent diaconate ordiantion was performed by Bishop John Cunningham with Peter Marks’ wife Janet, daughter, Mary, and son-in-law, PICS: PAUL McSHERRY Matthew, looked on (left and above). Mrs Marks helped her husband with his vestments THE ancient Christian heritage of humble. It’s been a long journey for Whithorn was given fresh life last New deacon for ‘cradle of Christianity’ him.” weekend as local man Peter Marks Fr Stephen Letham, director of the was ordained to the permanent dia- Diaconate program in Galloway Dio- conate. cese, said it had been a ‘very good day’ Bishop John Cunningham of Gal- come the day itself I was perfectly with me, only two completed it on time. began on Sunday. and a sign of the importance of deacons loway oversaw a moving ceremony at calm. It was the experience of a life- It was very interesting but it was hard. I “ I am looking forward to working on in Galloway. St Martin’s and St Ninian’s Church in time.” think the single most important thing I the pastoral side of thing, I think that’s “The fact Peter and Bob Simpson Whithorn last Saturday. The retired construction economist gained was that it really did deepen my were my strengths are.” know each other very well will be help- Peter Marks joined the permanent and former Glasgow Caledonian Uni- relationship with God.” Fr David Borland of St Andrew’s ful,” he said. “As the number of priests diaconate in front of his wife Janet, versity lecturer said his ordination was Deacon Marks, will now serve the Parish in Dumfries served as the Master goes down parishes will need to work daughter Mary and son in law Matthew the culmination of a long effort. parish of St Josephs in Stranraer, as his of Ceremonies for the ordination. together more closely,” he said. “So and said it had been a remarkable day. “The four year course was very own parish in Whithorn already has a “It was a very good day,” he said. having Deacons who know each other “In the days leading up to it I was hard,” he said. deacon, Deacon Bob Simpson “The liturgy was very good the Church in nearby parishes will help parishes absolutely petrified,” he said. “But “Of the eight people who started it “I’ve already begun,” he said. “I was packed, and Peter himself was very work together.” PIC: TOM EADIE Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage Day St Patrick’s Edinburgh Sunday 8th September 2013 SPOTLIGHT ON... 1.45pm/2.00pm Coffee 2.30pm–3.30pm Holy Hour 4.30pm Mass Carfin played host to men from across Scotland preparing for the permanent diaconate as they gathered together for Mass at Scotland’s national Celebrant and preacher Further details shrine.The group are preparing for their ordination as permanent deacons at Kinnoull Monastery in Perth, where they participate in the well-established 0131 556 1973 course there which has prepared so many men for the permanent diaconate since its establishment in Scotland.They had come to Carfin for the cele- Bishop Stephen Robson bration of Mass and to reflect together as a group in the peaceful surroundings of the Grotto, sharing their experiences as they move towards their goal of becoming Scotland’s latest permanent deacons.After Mass was celebrated in the Glass