REFUGEES are Scotland SCIAF praises welcomed by prays for the the work of schools and people of supporters parishes. BURUNDI. nationwide. Pages 4-5 Pages 6-7 Page 10 No 5654 VISIT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER ONLINE AT WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK Friday January 15 2016 | £1 Pro-life vigil at Glasgow hospital Pope calls on Europe to keep accepting migrants I Forty Days for Life worldwide pro-life campaign to be held in Scotland POPE Francis has called on Europe to keep accepting By Ian Dunn migrants before praying with 5000 of them at St A 40-DAY pro-life prayer vigil is to take Peter’s this Sunday. place this Lent outside a Glasgow hospital In a speech to the Holy where abortions happen. See’s diplomatic corps on It is the first time the 40 Days for Life Monday the Pope (right) said campaign (right)—which originated in the US the continent has the means —is to stage a vigil of this kind in Scotland. and the ‘moral responsibility’ Every day this Lent from 8am to 8pm, to welcome refugees without pro-life activists will gather outside the new sacrificing security. to protect the rights of its Queen Elizabeth University hospital in the On Sunday, the World Day citizens and to ensure south of Glasgow to pray. of Migrants and Refugees, a assistance and acceptance large group of asylum seekers to migrants,” the Holy Christian witness and migrants listened to the Father said. Long time pro-life activist Rose Docherty, Holy Father’s address in St He called for a frank and from St Dominic’s parish in Bishopbriggs, Peter’s Square before respectful dialogue to begin is the Glasgow campaign director and said entering the basilica among countries of migrants’ the ‘peaceful, prayerful’ event was about through one of the holy origin, transit and reception creating a culture of life in Scotland. doors opened for the special ‘so that with greater boldness “There are more than 30 babies a day witness,’ Mrs Docherty said ‘people of all Glasgow just before Lent to talk to those year dedicated to the theme and creativity, new and being aborted in Scotland,” she said. “This Faiths and none who shared their goals were activists involved. of mercy. The group will be sustainable solutions can is a counter cultural message that people welcome to attend.’ Ross Colquhoun, international outreach accompanied by pilgrims be sought.’ don’t want to hear, but it’s vital that they do.” “Everyone who attends does have to sign director for 40 Days for Life, said he carrying a cross made from The Pope devoted nearly She said that the vigil—arranged with a pledge,” she added. “To not be aggressive believed the Glasgow vigil ‘could be one of the wood of wrecked his entire speech to the police and hospital permission—intended to and act in a Christ-like manner. There may the strongest campaigns we’ve had in the UK.’ migrant boats that was issue, and acknowledged raise awareness through ‘Christian witness.’ be counter demonstrations but dealing with “It’s a locally organised initiative and crafted on the Italian island fears about security in the “It is not a demonstration,” she said. “We that is just part of being a pro-life activist.” there are fantastic people involved,” he said. of Lampedusa. The cross is wake of extremist attacks in will be there every day quietly praying, we She said that she was hopeful that Catholics “With the devolution of abortion law to to be carried by pilgrims Europe, Asia and elsewhere. won’t approach people, there won’t be would embrace the vigil and it would Scotland the time is very strong. I know it is from the island, which has But he said those fears should graphic images. If someone wants to come become ‘part of what they’re doing for Lent.’ a cold time of year to be outside but I think witnessed some of southern not result in Europe losing and talk to us that’s fine.” “I hope for three things,” she said. “That it will really help people gain a new Europe’s deadliest sinkings its values of solidarity and She said she hoped the vigil would people pray and fast for us, that they take perspective on abortion.” of the ongoing migrant crisis. humanity. “Human history ‘encourage Scottish society to take a long part in the vigil itself and they also embrace He said that, since 40 Days for Life had Last Monday, the Pope is made up of countless look at abortion, what it means for Scotland community outreach, spreading it about by been founded in the US in 2005, it has lamented the distinction migrations, sometimes out and how it can hurt everyone involved.’ word of mouth.” helped 10,000 women ‘to choose life instead made between refugees of an awareness of the right Although the vigil is an act of ‘Christian of abortion.’ fleeing persecution and to choose freely, and often Campaign “Since we’ve launched in the UK five years migrants fleeing poverty, dictated by external 40 Days for Life is an international group that ago, we have been active at 25 vigil locations,” saying both deserve circumstances,” he said. campaigns against abortion by organising he said. “We have also found they really international protection. Citing Biblical accounts, he 40-day periods of protests outside of abortion galvanise the local Christian community.” “Europe has the means to added that today’s migrants clinics. It was originally started in 2004 by a defend the centrality of the are ‘possessed of the same local group in Bryan-College Station, Texas, and I Latest SPUC Scotland pro-life projects, human person and to find determination which Moses has since spread to 25 countries worldwide. pages 12-13 the right balance between its had to reach a land flowing Matt Britton, the chairman of the International twofold moral responsibility with milk and honey.’ 40 Days for Life organisation, will visit 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 JANUARY 15 2016 What’s On Papal blessing for long-serving priest By Tom Knight A weekly guide to upcoming Church-related events, more online at www.sconews.co.uk WHEN the Brothers of Province 16 Motherwell of the Knights of St MONDAY JANUARY 18 2016 - Priest, prophet and Columba heard that their Provincial I The Chaplaincy and the King - Father Peter Damian Chaplain Fr Andrew O’Sullivan Catholic Chaplaincy, Uni- Grint. All Thursday talks CSSp—known as Fr Andy—was versity of Aberdeen, will be take place at 7.30 pm in about to celebrate his 90th birthday hosting a week of Prayer for Turnbull Hall, University of they decided to mark the occasion. Christian Unity between Glasgow Chaplaincy, 13 - Fr O’Sullivan, a Holy Ghost Father 18th to 22nd January at 15 Southpark Terrace, Glas- based in Carfin, has been chaplain and King’s College Chapel from gow, G12 8LG and are fol- spiritual director to Province 16 for many 12.15pm to 12.45pm every- lowed by refreshments and years. He is also chaplain to his local day except Wednesday at Night Prayer. The nearest council, 246 Carfin. 5.15pm, a special service subway is at Hillhead or The Knights arranged a Mass to take and all are invited! Kelvinbridge. place in Carfin on January 5 and Bishop Joseph Toal of Motherwell Diocese read- TUESDAY JANUARY 19 SATURDAY JANUARY 23 ily agreed to concelebrate with Fr O’Sul- I Exploring Catholicism I Alzheimer Scotland and livan’s fellow priests. Talks - St Thomas Aquinas the Polish Lanarkshire During the Mass the superior of the Secondary, Glasgow. Janu- Community Forum POLA Holy Ghost Fathers in Carfin, Fr John ary 19 - The Sacraments. invite you to a celebration McFadden, spoke of Fr O’Sullivan’s All talks are free and will of the Polish national many years of dedicated service and how take place at 4.15pm - 5pm Grandparents Day and more than 30 years of this service had at St Thomas Aquinas Sec- Robert Burns Night in St been spent in Africa, often in very dan- ondary, 112 Mitre Road, Bride’s Cathedral Hall on gerous circumstances. Glasgow, G14 9PP. Tea and Saturday January 23, from After the Mass, everyone moved to the coffee available from 4pm. 5pm until 10pm. Tickets hall where a buffet had been arranged and cost £5 and are available various presentations were made. THURSDAY JANUARY 21 from Lanarkshire Dementia Supreme Knight of the Knights of St I Glasgow Faith Forum Resource Centre, 64 Dalziel Columba, Charlie McCluskey, spoke of 2016 - a series of talks for Street, Motherwell, ML1 the high regard he had for Fr O’Sullivan young people aged 16 - 25. 1PJ. For more information and thanked him for the support he had The Baptismal Call to contact Gabriela Mitas on given to the order for so many years. He Evangelise, January 21, 01698 275300. referred to the many times he had heard E-mail [email protected] him speak and the poignant messages of encouragement he gave to the Province. Mr McCluskey then presented Fr Bishop’s ordination date finalised O’Sullivan with a Papal Blessing which the Province had secured for him. BISHOP-elect Brian McGee diocese was been vacant since Frank Reid, the present Grand Knight “He is not just a part of Province 16; he TOP: (l-r) Deacon Joe Gallagher, Bishop Toal, Fr of Argyll and the Isles is to be April 2014 when Bishop of Province 16, said: “To me, Fr Andy is is the beating heart, our conscience and John McFadden, Fr Ambrose Ohene and Fr Pat Joseph Toal became the Bishop the most committed person in Province 16 soul.