DAVID KERR was proud to be JOHN DEIGHAN, Scottish bishops’ invited to give the keynote address parliamentary officer, expresses dismay at this year’s Tommy Burns Supper at Holyrood opposition leaders’ in Glasgow. Pa ge 10 support of redefining marriage. Page 3 No 5452 www.sconews.co.uk Friday February 3 2012 | £1 CAN YOU PRO-LIFE VICTORY OFFER A HELPING HAND? Mallish is an 11-year-old Indian boy. Without the physical therapy he receives from the Association of Disabled People (APD) in Bangalore, India, his mobility ANTI-EUTHANASIA would be profoundly impaired. vote in Europe hailed The Scottish Catholic International as a victory by pro-life Aid Fund is a key supporter of APD and Mallish is just one of campaigners hundreds of disabled children being helped by APD every year. Page 8 APD’s work is being highlighted in SCIAF’s Lenten Wee Box, Big INSIDE YOUR SCO Change campaign this year. For more on India and SCIAF’s NEWS pages 1-9 campaign, see pages 12-13 PIC: SIMON MURPHY OPINION pages 10-11 FEATURES pages 12-13, 21 LETTERS page 14 COLUMNISTS pages 10-11, 22 Christian opposition to independence INTIMATIONS pages 17-20 BISHOPS’ ENGAGEMENTS I Fledgling political party coming to Scotland opposes Scottish Government’s flagship campaign page 20 CHILDREN’S LITURGY page 23 By Ian Dunn wound up but the Centre Democrats person,” he said. “But if I can help this tation of social values on a spectrum of CELEBRATING LIFE page 24 went on to contest council elections in party, facilitate things, raise awareness issues, life and the family in particular. THE Scottish Government’s cam- England, with a measure of success. with any small weight my name has I “In our present climate I would not paign for independence was dealt a Mr Elmer is now working to ensure am very happy to help.” underestimate the challenge they would HELPING CHILDREN blow this week with the announce- that Christian democratic ideals are He added that he hoped the Centre have to make a significant breakthrough,” ment that the new Christian demo- moved forward in Scotland. Democrats would return Scotland’s Mr Deighan added. “But I hope their cratic political party coming to “I want people in Scotland to get political focus to ‘the more important efforts can improve the level of debate we Scotland opposes it. involved and take the party forward, in things in society, like the plight of the have on important issues, which are Michael Elmer, leader of the Centre the Christian democratic tradition that disadvantaged who have been com- examined only superficially by all the Democrats in England and Wales, was in has been successful across Europe,” he pletely forgotten with all the focus on major parties.” Scotland last weekend to meet with lead- said. “What we have seen is that Chris- referendums.’ ing Scottish Catholics and Christians— tians who are members of the main “I think there has been a great disillu- Independence including internationally renowned political parties here have found their sionment in this country, with the lack of The Scottish National Party’s campaign composer James MacMillan—to discuss views crowded out.” conviction in our politicians, with [Tony] ahead of the 2014 referendum on inde- working to launch the Scottish Centre Mr Elmer explained that a key plank Blair and his focus groups following the pendence suffered another setback this Democrats in the autumn. of the Centre Democrats would be that money and [David] Cameron’s ditching week when Catholic businesswoman “There needs to be a party for those who of subsidiarity. He said that devolving of core moral truths and values,” he said. Michelle Mone said she would leave embrace Christian values and are willing power to local level was feasible, but he “I think there is a vacuum in the centre the country if it voted to become inde- to claim the centre ground: In economic rejected independence. ground of politics for a new party that pendent of the union. terms those who reject both planned “I love Scotland, and I am aware I am would appeal to many ex-Labour vot- “I will move my business and I will economies and naked capitalism,” Mr not a Scot, but as a Catholic there is ers, not just Catholics. move personally,” she said. “I don’t Elmer told the SCO. “I think Scottish vot- something in nationalism, a ‘my coun- “So I think there is a place for convic- think we can survive on our own and I ST ANDREW’S ers will be interested in a party that is pro- try first’ element, that I think is not tion politicians in the centre ground who think it would be really bad for business. Children’s Society uses life in the broadest sense—against poverty entirely compatible with the universal will recognise that marriage and the fam- Everything would go up and I really 90th anniversary event and the death penalty as well as abor- nature of Catholicism,” he said. ily are the core bedrock of our society.” don’t think we need it at the moment. to highlight important tion—and against independence.” Grass roots support Church view “I am so passionate for Scotland but I have to say that if we do become inde- work in Malawi Christian democrats roots James MacMillan told the SCO that he John Deighan, the parliamentary officer pendent, I will move,” Ms Mone added. Mr Elmer, a former academic and diplo- would be delighted to join the fledgling for the Scottish bishops, said he believed “I love Scotland but, under independ- Page 5 mat, set up the Centre Democrats three party when it is formally founded in this new party could have a positive ence, I would have no choice.” years ago, after a spilt with the Chris- autumn. While he had no intention of impact on Scottish political life. tian People’s Alliance Party. At that running for political office, the com- “The Church believes that Catholics I Gil Paterson MSP on why time, his party had a fraternal relation- poser said he would help the party in should find politics to suit them within the independence is safe for Catholic ship with the Scottish-based Christian any way he could. framework of the values of the Church,” education, page 11 Democrats led by the late Teresa Smith. “As a musician I have a career and a he said. “However in Scotland we do have I Editorial, page 14 After her death, her organisation was life to lead and I am not a party political a desperate need for an articulate presen- I [email protected] SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT I tel 0141 221 4956 I fax 0141 221 4546 I e-mail [email protected] 2 PICTURE NEWS SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday February 3 2012 St Thomas of Aquin’s welcome special guest for feast day Mass celebrations CARDINAL Keith O’Brien (Above) Cardinal Keith O’Brien with joined the staff and pupils of Grace Vickers, St Thomas of Aquin’s St Thomas of Aquin’s High headteacher and staff and pupils School, Edinburgh, last from the school after the feast day A celebration of our Celtic roots in Glasgow Mass. (Below) Schoolchildren take Tuesday to mark the part in the offertory procession during school’s patronal feast day. the Mass PICS: PAUL McSHERRY By Martin Dunlop (Above) Main concelebrant Mgr Gerry Fitzpatrick Mass was celebrated at the setting. They joined Fr Peter Griffiths SJ, alongside Fr Michael Hutson, Fr Peter Griffiths, parish priest of St Aloysius, Fr Gerard Fr Gerard Hassay and Fr Hugh O’Donnell at Sacred Heart Church, Lauriston, GLASGOW’S StAloysius Church was Hassay SJ, Fr Hugh O’Donnell and Dea- the Celtic roots Mass. (Below) Some of the with the cardinal joining Mgr SCIAF was presented to the packed on Sunday for the annual cele- con Kevin Kelly in celebrating the Mass. instrumentalists who shared their musical Michael Regan, administrator of cardinal during the offertory bration of the Celtic roots Mass. A large contingent of St Mungo Singers talents with the congregation St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, procession. Held each year during the Celtic Con- were joined by various Glasgow parish PICS: PAUL McSHERRY and Fr Peter Scally SJ of the Following the Mass, the car- nections Festival, the sung Mass wel- choirs and the choir of St Mungo’s Church, Sacred Heart Church, to mark dinal posed for a photograph comes citizens and visitors to Glasgow for Alloa, while a number of instrumentalists the school’s celebration. with Grace Vickers, St Thomas a joy-filled celebration. from Glasgow and beyond added their con- Alarge number of Knights of St Columba Staff and pupils from the of Aquin’s headteacher, along- The main concelebrant of this year’s Mass siderable talents to the Music Liturgy. were also among the congregation and school participated in the Mass, side pupils and staff from the was Mgr Gerry Fitzpatrick, musical director Bailie Catherine McMaster represented representatives from the order took up the and a cheque for £5620 for Edinburgh school. for GlasgowArchdiocese, while Fr Michael the Lord Provost of Glasgow at the Mass, collection and offertory. Hutson preached the homily and led the sec- which was attended by parishioners from ond part of the Eucharistic Prayer in the new across the city as well as many visitors. I [email protected] Do you have a story for us here at the Scottish Catholic Observer? You can call us on 0141 221 4956 or send us an e-mail: [email protected] Under 15s Youth Retreat 17-19th February A chancefor young people(11-15) to shareand strengthen their faith through: talks, testimonies, Mass, Reconciliation & Healing Service, lots of chatting and lots of music.