Reaction to CONFERENCE EAST KILBRIDE INDEPENDENCE AND RADIO church in comment in boosts for UK’s modern the SCO. Liturgy. top three. Pages 9 and 11 Page 2 Page 3 No 5544 YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER SUPPORTS THE YEAR OF FAITH Friday November 15 2013 | £1 Pope Francis calls A MEETING OF FIRSTS for ‘concrete’ help for the Philippines I Vatican donates close to £100,000 to help survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, as charities launch emergency appeals By Ian Dunn POPE Francis immediately called on Scottish Catholics to send ‘concrete aid’ to survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan after it killed tens of thousands of people and left millions homeless in the Philippines last weekend. The Holy Father repeated this call on Wednesday, asking Catholics to engage in the ‘real battle in favour of life’ by helping the Philippines. In Scotland, SCIAF has launched an emergency appeal to help victims of the catastrophic storm, which ravaged the island nation with 150 mph winds, and is working with its partners on the ground, Cari- tas Philippines, to help emergency aid reach people who have been made homeless by the storm. Aid to home to several dioceses, though two were hard- the Church in Need (ACN) has also promised help est-hit—Borongan Diocese and Palo Archdiocese. for people devastated by the typhoon. In Borongan, which was the typhoon’s first land- First Minister Alex Salmond welcomed newly installed Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh Early estimates suggest that at least 10,000 peo- fall, a UNESCO heritage church was razed and to Bute House on Tuesday. After the meeting, the archbishop said: “It was a pleasure to meet the First Minister again, having only had the briefest word with him on the day of my Episcopal Ordination. I look forward ple died after the typhoon hit, although many of about 85 to 95 per cent of the homes in the parish to working with him and with all in government and parliament, with a view to promoting the peace and the victims may never be found. More than 80 per were also destroyed. prosperity of all in society, authentic human rights, including the right to religious freedom and worship, cent of the population of the Philippines is “In Borongan, we have no concrete reports and the integral human development of those excluded and most in need wherever they may be.” Catholic and the Pope said at his Angelus on Sun- because all communication lines are down and all Mr Salmond said that the Catholic Church has played a pivotal role in the history and formation of the day that he wanted all Catholics to pray ‘for these power lines are down,” he said. “In Palo, in which is nation, and ‘it has an equally important part in Scotland’s future.’ brothers and sisters and let’s try, also, to make our situated the city of Tacloban, about 10,000 people are “I warmly welcome Archbishop Cushley to Bute House and I’m sure this will be the first of many success- concrete help reach them.’ estimated dead. Much church infrastructure was ful meetings,” the First Minister added. “I look forward to building on the strong and respectful relationship “I wish to express my closeness to the people of destroyed, including the cathedral of Palo and the between the Scottish Government and the Catholic Church in Scotland and working with Archbishop Cush- the Philippines and that region that has been hit by important shrine of Santo Nino. But the priority is ley as he begins this new period of service among the people of Scotland.” a terrible typhoon,” he said. “Unfortunately, the rebuilding the lives of people and not buildings.” PIC: PAUL McSHERRY victims are many and the damage is enormous.” SCIAF Appeal Aid In Scotland, Lorraine Currie, head of international The Vatican has made an initial donation of $150,000 programmes for the Scottish Catholic International (close to £100,000) for the relief efforts through the Aid Fund (SCIAF), said the scale of the disaster Assisted suicide bill will fail again Pontifical Council Cor Unum. The money, sent was hard to understand but the charity’s emer- through the local churches hardest hit by the storm, gency appeal would make a vital difference. MARGO MacDonald has Ms MacDonald’s last effort, allowing, there was never a was earmarked to support ‘assistance for the displaced “This is a major disaster which will require a huge launched her latest attempt to said he believed she would fail clear choice,” he said. “And and those impacted by the flooding.’ humanitarian response over a prolonged period,” she legalise assisted suicide in again in having assisted suicide now you have a situation in Bel- The Pope also sent a telegram to Philippine Presi- said. “Work is already underway to get emergency Scotland, but the pro-life legalised in Scotland. gium where they are looking at dent Benigno Aquino saying he was ‘deeply pained supplies to the survivors of this devastating storm. campaign group that helped “We believe that when people allowing the euthanasia of chil- by the destruction and loss of human lives.’ In the SCIAF is working through our sister agencies on the to defeat her last time have a clear choice on this issue, dren. So it’s vital that we have a message, he also encouraged civil authorities and res- ground to get aid to people as quickly as we can. believes she will fail again. they reject any change in the full public debate about this, so cue workers in their efforts and prayed that God There is an urgent need for clean water, food, tem- Ms MacDonald, the Independ- law,” he told the SCO. “So we people are fully informed.” would offer ‘the nation strength and consolation.’ porary shelters, hygiene kits and medicines. ent Lothians MSP, was due to think we will again be success- The Philippine Catholic bishops have called for unveil her new Assisted Suicide ful in preventing assisted suicide I Continued on page 2 a novena of prayer and emergency aid for the vic- I Continued on page 7 (Scotland) Bill on Thursday, less being legalised in Scotland.” tims and their grieving families. Mgr Pedro Quito- than three years after her last bill Mr Cook said that in coun- rio, media director of the Catholic Bishops’ I Donate to SCIAF’s Philippines Typhoon on the subject was overwhelm- tries, such as Belgium, where Conference of the Philippines, said the funds Emergency Appeal by visiting www.sciaf.org.uk/ ingly rejected by MSPs. euthanasia and assisted suicide raised during the novena, which started on Mon- typhoon or calling 0141 354 5555. Aidan Michael Cook, the are legal, they had been intro- day and runs until November 19, will be channeled campaign officer for Care not duced piece by piece. to the crisis region through Caritas Philippines. I Support ACN’s efforts by calling 020 8642 8668 Killing, the cross party cam- “Often, people were not He said the region where the typhoon hit is or visit www.acnuk.org/donate paign group that helped crush entirely clear on what they were 2 WHAT’S ON SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15 2013 What’s On A weekly guide to upcoming Church events SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16 to now? The New Evangelisa- I Catholic Charismatic tion and Beyond, Fr Willie Renewal Glasgow event—Day McFadden, 7.30pm-9pm, of Renewal. Guest speaker: Fr Immaculate Conception Hall, Stephen Hannah, Calton Her- Maryhill, Glasgow. itage and Learning Centre, 423 London Road, Glasgow, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21 10.30am-4.30pm. Tea and cof- I Glasgow Faith Forum fee provided, bring a packed Talks—The Sacraments of the lunch. For more information Church: The Life of Christ in contact Anne on: 07436 114 us, by Fr Ross Campbell, 052 or 0141 328 4120. Glasgow University. I The place of Reason in This is a talk for young peo- Belief, a talk by Fr John ple aged 16-25. Turnbull Hall, Keenan, chaplain and parish Glasgow University Catholic priest, Glasgow University, at Chaplaincy. St Ninian Institute, Dundee, For more information check 10am. Book at out glasfaithforum on Face- http://www.rcdod.org.uk/index. book or email glasgowfo- php/education/st-ninian-insti- [email protected]. Talk begins tute at 7.30pm followed by refreshments SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17 I Choir Workshop to rehearse FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22 music for Advent and Christ- I Craig Lodge Advent retreat mas, St Mary’s Cathedral, for 11-15 year old. Runs until Aberdeen, 1pm-3pm. Sunday 24. Musica Sacra Scotland event hits the right note I Knights of St Columba MONDAY NOVEMBER 18 clergy dinner. I By Martin Dunlop (Main) Fr Guy Nicholls at the Musica Opening of Credo: An exhi- sity’s Catholic chaplaincy, Sacra Scotland Conference last to work alongside established bition of art inspired by the SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23 Turnbull Hall, and, in addition musical performers, including I Saturday at Glasgow University. Nicene Creed. Special exhibi- SPUC Education Pro- Archbishop Philip Tartaglia to an address from Archbishop (Inset) Charles Cole,Archbishop Charles Cole, director of the tion to close the Year of Faith, gramme, St Peter’s Church, of Glasgow joined a high Tartaglia, featured a number of Philip Tartaglia and James Schola Cantorum at the London including work by Peter How- Aberdeen. Talk by Leonora- turnout of Church musicians, speakers, including renowned MacMillan at the event Oratory and deputy organist at son, at AGAP Gallery, St Maria Blackhall, SPUC educa- clergy and laity for the Catholic composer James PICS: PAUL McSHERRY Westminster Cathedral, Fr Guy Patrick’s Church, Anderston, tion officer.