PITLOCHRY KEVIN McKENNA SPUC SCOTLAND parishioners backs Pope’s to take pro- unite to help call to tackle life message Nigeria’s poor. consumerism. on the road. Page 5 Page 7 Page 10 No 5578 VISIT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER ONLINE AT WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK Friday July 18 2014 | £1 Fresh fears of assisted suicide becoming reality By Ian Dunn FEARS are growing that peers may vote to legalise assisted suicide in England and Wales, a move that would greatly increase the chances of MSPs doing likewise when Holyrood considers it later this year. As the SCO went to press the House of Lords was preparing to give a second reading to Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill, which would make it legal for adults in England and Wales to be given assistance in ending their own life, if it is passed by parliament. It would apply to those with less than six months to live and any agreement must come from two doctors. John Deighan, the Scottish Bish- ops’ Conference’s parliamentary officer said that ‘Westminster was an important reference point’ for the Scottish debate on assisted suicide. “This has already been debated and dismissed in Scotland and hopefully will be again,” he said “But it is a worry that the culture of death could be spreading.” The legislation has been fiercely opposed by the English Catholic Church with Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth asking every church in his diocese to hold a Holy Hour of prayer on the eve of the parliamen- tary debate on assisted suicide. Bishop Egan said in a message ‘Break cycle of hatred and violence’ that the legalisation of assisted suicide would mark the ‘catastrophic collapse of respect for the infinite I Pope Francis appeals for peace in the Holy Land as conflict in the region rumbles on value of each human life.’ “Please pray that parliament will By Ian Dunn teach us peace, guide us toward peace.’ Institute of the Incarnate Word, said that one night, firmly reject this bill,” the bishop He asked that the Lord give to all the strength and after a bomb siren sounded, he helped three Sisters of said. “Pray too for the terminally ill, POPE Francis has made an urgent appeal for courage ‘to take concrete actions to build peace... Charity evacuate 20 handicapped children from their and for the generous and selfless doc- peace in the Holy Land after violence flared in make us willing to listen to the cry of our citizens home to his. tors, nurses and medical staff who the troubled region again this week. who are asking us to transform our weapons into “We had to carry all the children in our arms,” Fr care for them. Pray for those who will “I extend a heartfelt appeal to all of you to continue instruments of peace, our fears into trust, and our ten- Hernandez said. “There is no space in my house, so die today. Pray for any relatives to pray earnestly for peace in the Holy Land, in light sions into forgiveness.’ we laid down blankets on the floor and put the presently looking after a dying loved of the tragic events of recent days,” the Holy Father children there. It was very intense and there was a lot one. And pray for our country, that said after more than 200 casualties were reported in Conflict of fear, but the bomb fell farther away.” through the intercession of the Blessed the past week. Recalling the June 8 invocation for Tensions between Israel and Palestine have steadily Mother, there may be a fresh outpour- peace with the Israeli and Palestinian presidents, the increased in recent weeks following the murder of Air strikes ing of the Holy Spirit.” Pope (above inset) recounted how they ‘invoked the three Israeli teenagers, whose bodies were discov- Israel has claimed that its air strikes in populated At the Scottish Parliament, submis- gift of peace and heard the call to break the cycle of ered on June 30. On the day of their funeral, the body areas (above main) are targeted to the homes of mil- sions to a public consultation into the hatred and violence.’ of a Palestinian teenager was found, whose death is itants, and they give phone warnings to all civilians proposed Assisted Suicide (Scotland) “Some might think that such a meeting took place seen as a retaliation killing. in the house to leave the premises before attacking. Bill closed at the end of May. A previ- in vain, but no, because prayer helps us not to allow Israel and Palestinian organisation Hamas, whom The air strikes began on July 8. ous attempt to legalise the controversial ourselves to be overcome by evil, nor resign ourselves Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has Fr Hernandez said that three Gaza neighbourhoods practice failed in a free vote at Holyrood to violence and hatred taking over dialogue and rec- faulted for the murder of the three Jewish teenagers, had been warned to evacuate, but there are no safety during the SNP’s first term in govern- onciliation,” the Pope said. “I urge the parties con- have continued to exchange fire in the Gaza area, zones large enough for all the residents. Instead, the ment. The late Lothians MSP Margo cerned and all those who have political responsibility despite a proposed ceasefire last week. people seek refuge in government and UN run school MacDonald was behind both efforts. at local and international levels to spare a prayer and Health officials in Gaza report that at least 200 buildings, he said. After her death earlier this year the bill make some effort to put an end to all hostilities and to Palestinians have been killed since air strikes from “Everything is so close; there is no place for them is now being steered through parlia- achieve the desired peace for the good of all.” Israel began, including numerous civilians. to go,” he said. “There are 100,000 people who have ment by Green MSP Patrick Harvie. A priest at the Gaza Strip’s only Catholic parish been told to leave, and then there is the problem of Prayers for peace said the tiny Christian community in the Gaza Strip food and water for them. It is an enormous problem.” Pope Francis then invited the thousands present in St have been keeping tabs on each other and lending a Some 1300 Christian Palestinians now live in Gaza Peter’s Square to unite in prayer and led the masses helping hand to keep each other safe during Israeli amid 1.8 million Muslims, with 130 Catholics, a sprin- in a moment of silent prayer for the Holy Land. air strikes throughout the region, but nowhere in the kling of Baptists and a large majority of Greek Orthodox. Following the prayerful moment of silence, Pope territory is really safe. Francis prayed ‘Now, Lord, help us! Grant us peace, Fr Jorge Hernandez, an Argentine member of the 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 JULY 18 2014 What’s On A weekly guide to upcoming Church-related events, more online at www.sconews.co.uk FRIDAY JULY 18 words and images. There will I Summer pilgrimage. also be a special film to Pilgrimage to the North East of accompany the exhibition at England, entitled In the Foot- 3pm on Sunday July 20 in the steps of the Northern Saints church. Exhibited in St visiting Holy Island, Durham, Mungo’s, Townhead, Glasgow, Newcastle, and the border and previously seen in London, abbeys. Cost is £295 which Norwich and Seville. Open includes half board, transport daily from Saturday July 19 to and entry to the holy sites. Saturday August 2, from 9am- Runs from Friday July 18 to 1.30pm and 4.30pm-6pm (and Monday July 21, by the until 8pm on Saturday). Entry Newmains Pastoral Centre. is free. For more information see Commonwealth baton is passed to young Catholic athlete www.newmainspastoralcentre THURSDAY JULY 24 .org.uk email: I Challenge HCPT Musicals By Daniel Harkins parishioner of St Columba’s, Culloden, and duathlon—a 12-mile walk followed by a [email protected] Night. Musicals night in aid of a pupil at Culloden Academy, was given the 10-mile cycle—to raise funds for a heart or call Linda on 01698 385397. HCPT Group 49. Takes place WITH the opening ceremony of the opportunity to carry the baton through the charity, and has continued his fundraising in the Mayo Suite of St Commonwealth Games fast approach- streets of Alness. efforts with a recent coffee morning for SATURDAY JULY 19 Patrick’s Hall, Coatbridge. ing, the Queens Baton Relay entered its The youngster, who dressed for the occa- MacMillan Cancer Support. I Marital relations programme. Doors open at 7.30pm. Come final stretch as it visited the Highlands, sion in a kilt, is a member of the Inverness The baton is now heading down through I + YOU = WE Programme, along to sing and dance, and where it was carried by one lucky Harriers amateur athletics club, regularly Scotland and will enter Glasgow on July 20. for the development of marital enjoy live talented musicians young Catholic. training in track and field events. relations. Run by Glasgow and singers led by Marie- 12-year-old Matt Macfarlane (above), a As a 10-year-old, Matt took part in a I [email protected] University Chaplaincy, a Claire and Kirstin.