Supporters flock Richard Purden to Glasgow questions Celtic Mary’s Meals over austerity open day. stance of board Pages 12-13 SUPPORTING 50 YEARS OF SCIAF, 1965-2015 member. Page 16 No 5648 VISIT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER ONLINE AT WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK Friday November 27 2015 | £1 Pope: Christmas 2015 a ‘charade’ I Holy Father cannot reconcile marking Christ’s birth and peace on earth when the world is at war By Daniel Harkins POPE Francis fears the festivities of Christmas will be a ‘charade’ this year as the ‘whole world is at war,’ rejecting the ‘path of peace,’ so that ‘Jesus Himself weeps.’ The Pope’s powerful announcement was made during Mass at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican last week, and came after the terrorist attacks in Paris that killed 130 people on November 13, as an increasingly complex war rages on in Syria and tensions build in Africa, where he arrived on Wednesday to visit Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic. “Today Jesus weeps as well, because we have chosen the way of war, the way of hatred, the way of enmities,” the Holy Father said, following a recounting of Jesus crying as He approached Jerusalem. “We are close to Christmas: there will be lights, there will be parties, bright trees, even Nativity scenes—all decked out—while the world continues to wage war. The world has not understood were martyred during the Spanish Civil War in the the way of peace.” 1930s. “They were priests, young professed friars On Sunday, the Pope will arrive in the Central awaiting ordination, and lay brothers belonging to African Republic, the first time he has visited an the Capuchin Order of Friars Minor: let us entrust active war zone. Thousands have been killed and to their intercession the many of our brothers and hundreds of thousands displaced in a civil war that sisters who, sadly still today, in many different parts has gripped the country since 2012. of the world, are persecuted because of their faith in Christ.” War today The Pope also sent a telegram expressing solidarity During Mass at Casa Santa Marta, the Pope also with the people of Mali following a terrorist attack recounted the recent commemorations of the Second last Friday that killed 21 people, and followed just World War, the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and a week after the attacks in Paris. Nagasaki, and his visit to Redipuglia—home to Italy’s largest war memorial—last year on the UK anniversary of the First World War. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of “Useless slaughters,” he said, repeating the words Westminster, said—following the Paris attacks and of Pope Benedict XV. “Everywhere there is war amid calls for action against ISIS in Syria—that today, there is hatred. What shall remain in the wake while ‘indiscriminate violence’ is never justifiable, of this war, in the midst of which we are living now? ‘specific use of weapons in a defensive mode is What shall remain? Ruins, thousands of children defensible.’ without education, so many innocent victims—and “While there is a duty on us to pray, and while lots of money in the pockets of arms dealers. Jesus there is a duty on us to stand together, there is also once said you cannot serve two masters: either God a duty that those who barbarically threaten other or riches. War is the right choice for him who would individuals need to be stopped,” Cardinal Nichols serve wealth: ‘Let us build weapons, so that the said. “And I don’t think there’s any doubt that economy will right itself somewhat, and let us go effective action is called for to stop the actions and forward in pursuit of our interests.’ the activities of ISIS.” “There is an ugly word the Lord spoke: The UK Government is expected to hold a vote ‘Cursed’… The men who work war, who make next week on whether the country should begin air war, are cursed. They are criminals. A war can be strikes in Syria. The conflict this week became justified, so to speak, with many, many reasons, more complicated with the shooting down of a but when all the world [is] as it is today at war— Russian jet by Turkey on the Turkey-Syria border. piecemeal though that war may be, a little here, a “It will do us well to ask the grace of tears for little there, and everywhere—there is no justification, ourselves, for this world that does not recognise HOLDING ON FOR PEACE, PARIS and God weeps. Jesus weeps.” the path of peace, this world that lives for war, and cynically says not to make it,” the Pope said. “Let The Paris terrorists who sought to impose tyranny in France will be banished by the country’s love for liberty, Persecution us pray for conversion of heart... here before the equality and fraternity, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia said last week at a special Mass for the victims of November During his Sunday Angelus address, the Pope called door of this Jubilee of Mercy.” 13’s atrocity. The Archbishop of Glasgow preached the homily in St Andrew’s Cathedral and comforted those for prayers for all those persecuted around the seeking solace with celebration of a Mass of ‘solidarity and hope.’ He was joined by Archbishop Emeritus Mario I Pope Francis’ African visit, pages 6-7 Conti and clergy from the archdiocese. Report on page 3 PIC: PAUL McSHERRY world because of their Faith. He recalled the Beatification in Barcelona last Saturday of Blessed I Editorial, page 9 Federico da Berga and his 25 companions, who 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 WHAT’S ON SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27 2015 St Mirin’s Cathe- dral Administrator Mgr John Tormey celebrated Mass for the Bereaved in What’s On Paisley on Wednesday A weekly guide to upcoming Church-related November 18 with clergy from Paisley events, more online at www.sconews.co.uk Diocese. Members SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28 THURSDAY DECEMBER 3 of the congrega- tion at the cathe- I Take Pope Francis' climate I The Holy Land Today: a dral put a lighted call to the streets. On Saturday series of advent reflections candles on the November 28. SCIAF, Justice beginning on Thursday sanctuary steps in and Peace. and many others December 3 at 7pm, Christ the memory of loved will march in Edinburgh to King Church Hall, 220 Car- ones. Mgr John call on world leaders to take munnock Road, Glasgow, Tormey read verse tough action on climate G44 5AP. after all the can- change. There will be an ecu- I Glasgow Faith Forum 2015: dles had been menical service beforehand at a series of talks for young peo- placed on the University Chaplaincy. ple aged 16-25 at Turnbull the sanctuary Please see www.sciaf.org.uk Hall, University of Glasgow PICS: PAUL for more info. Chaplaincy, 13-15 Southpark McSHERRY Terrace, G12 8LG. ‘The SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29 Church is His Voice’by I 40 Hours Adoration begins Bishop Joseph Toal on Thurs- after 12noon Mass. ‘The Vigil day December 3 at 7.30pm. of St Andrew’ organised by Followed by refreshments and Glasgow Churches Together Night Prayer. will take place at 7pm at St Andrew’s cathedral, Glasgow. FRIDAY DECEMBER 4 Music will be led by The St I YOUTH EVENT: ‘Wonder Mungo Singers AND Night & Awe’ at St Andrew’s Cathe- Fever. Refreshments after in dral Glasgow on Friday Eyre Hall, next to Cathedral. December 4 from 7- 9pm. All welcome. See Notice Held on the First Friday of Board. every month. For info, e-mail MONDAY NOVEMBER 30 [email protected] or phone I Monday November 30 (St 0141 226 5898. Andrew’s Day): I Vocations to the Priesthood: Archdiocesan Mass for Voca- The monthly evening of cate- tions at 7pm, celebrated by chesis, prayer and fraternity Archbishop Tartaglia at St will take place on Friday Andrew’s Cathedral, Glas- December 4 at Turnbull Hall, gow. All welcome University of Glasgow Chap- I Mass in the Extraordinary laincy for men who may be Form (‘Old Rite). St Joseph’s, thinking of a vocation to the Greenock, is hosting a cele- diocesan priesthood. For more bration of Mass according to info contact Fr Ross Campbell Wishaw ST IGNATIUS parish in The concert was organised to Ignatius Verse Speaking Choir, the 1962 Missal (issued by 0141 3394315 or e-mail Wishaw entertained a packed showcase the wide range of Catherine Dale and Emma, Pope John XXIII) on St Ross.Campbell.2@glasgow. audience at a variety concert talent in the parish and its Michael and Paul Kennedy. Andrew’s Night Monday ac.uk. parish unites on Friday November 20. associated schools. The concert was organised by November 30 at 7pm. Those I First Friday Vigil at Fran- Various groups in the parish Performances were given by parishioner Maureen McCann ‘of a certain vintage’ will ciscan Convent of the Immac- community are raising funds towards St Ignatius Church and Primary ably assisted by Musical Director remember this as the way ulate Conception, 92 Dixon building a church in Ave School Choirs, St Aidan’s High Paul Kennedy and with the Mass was celebrated before Avenue (opp Holy Cross for concert Maria Parish in Cameroon, School Ukulele Band and support of Fr Gerry Maguiness. the reforms of the Second Vat- Church) on December 4 at Africa as part of the students Michael Cunningham Pictured above are the ican Council were imple- 7pm.