Cardinal Keith O'Brien is part of a progressive camp of cardinals emphasising social justice and loosening prohibitions that have marginalised women and divorced Catholics, says the Melbourne Age. This group, led by former Milan archbishop Carlo Martini, is thought to include Belgium's Gottfried Danneels, American Roger Mahoney and England's influential Cormac Murphy-O'Connor. It is not strong enough to impose a candidate unaided in the papal conclave.
Source: The Age, Melbourne.
posted at 8:42 PM

Plans for this year's Beltane Fire Festival in Edinburgh, on April 30, were unveiled today. The biggest festival of its kind in Europe, and based on ancient Celtic celebrations in Ireland and Scotland, it will feature hundreds of costume-clad characters staging a colourful series of performances around Calton Hill.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 8:36 PM

World super-featherweight boxing champion Scott Harrison will leave his homeland for Spain because he claims people in Scotland have turned him into a marked man. "It's hard to be in the public eye and I have now accepted the fact I can't stay where I was brought up in Cambuslang and I have to be more careful about the places I go in Glasgow. The city is so small and there are always so many clowns who want to come up to you and start something ... I'm a guy who attends church every week and tries to do what he can when it comes to working for various charities. I don't want to trumpet that side of my life but I think I'm entitled to mention it when my name is constantly being blackened."
Source: icScotland.
posted at 6:55 PM

There has been fresh criticism of Tayside NHS proposals to make free condoms available from chemists and other outlets near secondary schools as part of a new strategy aimed at reducing the high number of teenage pregnancies and abortions. Father Ken McCaffrey, of the RC diocese of Dunkeld, said: "It does not show any respect for our young people. It does not help them make right moral choices, these just being available at any time of the day. It would be certainly be irresponsible of NHS Tayside to go ahead with this."
Source: The Herald.
posted at 6:49 PM

In the May issue of Life & Work, the Church of Scotland magazine, the Moderator-Designate, the Rev David Lacy, says the Church should stop 'talking itself down' and take pride in itself and its myriad of achievements. Dr Tony Toft, consultant physician at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, makes a plea for politics to be kept out of the nation's health care. And in a piece to mark the 60th anniversary of VE Day, retired brigadier Frank Coutts emphasises the necessity of the armed forces - provided they are subject to stringent controls.
Source: Church of Scotland news release.
posted at 11:44 PM

Tayside health bosses were today presented with a health strategy likely to put them on a collision course with the Catholic Church. The document recommends that free condoms should be provided "within walking distance of every secondary school in Tayside". Bishop Vincent Logan has already condemned the proposal as "simply not acceptable". The Church of Scotland has given a cautious welcome to the proposals, although the Moderator of Dundee Presbytery James Wilson said he had some moral reservations.
Source: Dundee Evening Telegraph.
posted at 11:35 PM

VisitScotland, Scotland's tourism agency, has admitted that Scotland's international reputation is being tarnished by sectarian behaviour at football matches. Supporters of Heart of Midlothian disrupted a minute's silence for Pope John Paul II at their team's match against Celtic on Sunday. The story was picked up internationally, by newspapers including the South African Star, the Toronto-based National Post, the Australian, the New York Post, USA Today and the China Daily. Speaking for the first time about the incident yesterday, a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland said: "It was depressing but predictable to watch what the First Minister has rightly called 'Scotland's shame' on display once more. Lest anyone be in any doubt that bigotry is alive and well in Scotland today, let them view the shameful images of last weekend's football crowds."
Source: The Scotsman.
posted at 10:25 AM

A refusal by the highest court of the Church of Scotland to debate the issue of homosexuality has been supported by the Rev David Lacy, who will become moderator of the Kirk's General Assembly next month. In an interview in Life and Work, the Kirk's magazine, he said: "I do not see a way out for the church except plumping for one side or another and if we did it would divide us down the middle. I'm very much in tune with the General Assembly. It has refused to debate the issue twice because it knew it would divide the church. I think the Anglican communion has just shown that the debate will split the church."
Source: The Herald.
posted at 10:18 AM

Profiles of Roman Catholic Cardinals from Western Europe, including Cardinal Keith O'Brien.
Source: Reuters.
posted at 10:14 PM

The co-ordinator of the Church of Scotland HIV/AIDS Project, Rev Nigel Pounde, has described as "a prophet" Canon Gideon Byamugisha, a Ugandan Anglican minister living with HIV.
Source: Church of Scotland news release.
posted at 8:43 PM

A group of around 30 Church of Scotland ministers will gather in Glasgow on Thursday 14 April to stand in the formation of the cross, as on a voting card, in support of changes in international trade rules. As part of the Global Week of Action, they will be "joining millions around the world calling for trade justice to help lift people out of poverty".
Source: Church of Scotland news release.
posted at 8:40 PM

The Free Church (Continuing) is to appeal against last month's Court of Session judgment which ruled the Free Church was entitled to property worth about £10million held by its general trustees. The FC (Continuing) had claimed that it was entitled to the property because it alone upheld the constitution of the Free Church of Scotland. A Free Church spokesman said: "We urge our fellow Christians in the Free Church (Continuing) that it is not too late to turn from a path that can only bring further shame to the cause of Christ in this land and abroad."
Source: Aberdeen Press & Journal.
posted at 8:37 PM

A 72-year-old man has been reported to the procurator fiscal after an alleged assault at a parishioners' meeting at Lumphanan kirk on March 22. Villagers had attended the meeting to hear about the future of their church, which has been earmarked for closure.
Source: Aberdeen Press & Journal.
posted at 8:35 PM

Teenage girls from Inverclyde are selling themselves on city streets to feed their heroin habit. Some as young as 16 are travelling 30 miles to Glasgow to work as prostitutes. Recent statistics show Inverclyde has one of the highest number of addicts in Scotland. Mark Henry, co-ordinator of drug group Teen Challenge, said: "We are dealing with girls working the streets - it would make you cry. The drug problem in Inverclyde is horrendous. The scale is just way beyond what people know." Christian-based Teen Challenge runs a bus outreach project in Greenock's Clyde Square where addicts can seek help.
Source: Greenock Telegraph.
posted at 8:20 PM

More women offenders should be given community sentences instead of being jailed, Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson is recommending in advance of a debate in the Scottish Parliament. The debate was welcomed by Dr Alison Elliot, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. She told BBC Scotland's news website: "Women's pattern of offending is quite different from that of men. Their circumstances on admission to prison are different and the way they cope with imprisonment is different."
Source: BBC Scotland News.
posted at 7:49 PM

The shadow education secretary (for England and Wales), Tim Collins, today put faith schools at the centre of Tory plans to realign the country's moral compass. He said that a Conservative government would increase the number of faith schools to help put faith at the heart of the community. "Faith schools - Catholic, Church of England, Jewish and Islamic alike - consistently offer higher academic standards and a stronger ethos than purely secular schools."
posted at 7:45 PM

The Moderator of the Church of Scotland's General Assembly yesterday said the decision to hold a minute's silence for the Pope at the Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Hearts was "ill-advised". Dr Alison Elliot made the comments as police confirmed that six fans were arrested in and around Hampden Park on suspicion of sectarian hate crimes. The match in Glasgow was marred when Heart of Midlothian supporters began jeering during a silent tribute to Pope John Paul II.
Dr Elliot, who has just returned from Rome where she attended the pontiff's funeral on Friday, told BBC Scotland: "The very point of a period of mourning is that you get closure and that then says, 'Right, we're now on to the next phase'. And so I think to have something that was public and official in that way after Friday was ill-advised."
Source: The Herald.
posted at 10:51 AM

Christians from across the Highlands joined a pre-election Inverness prayer gathering at the weekend to hear a chilling view of "a society in social, moral and spiritual crisis". The warning was delivered by Dennis Wrigley of the Manchester-based Maranatha Community and drew on the State of Our Nation document published by Maranatha. Church members in the Inverness area have sent copies to each MSP, Highland councillor and every peer. The Rev Samuel McKibben, one of the organisers of Saturday's gathering, said: "A deep sickness has penetrated to the heart of our society. Regardless of the aspirations and strategies of politicians, our nation is in steep decline."
Source: Aberdeen Press & Journal.
posted at 9:40 PM

Students will try to unravel the mystery of the Da Vinci code on a new course at Newbattle Abbey College. They will study the carvings at Rosslyn Chapel, in the village of Roslin, which inspired Dan Brown's thriller and which many believe contain the secrets of the Holy Grail.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 9:37 PM

Hearts fans leaders today refused to condemn yobs who jeered during a minute's silence for Pope John Paul II at yesterday's Scottish Cup semi-final. Former vice chairman of the Federation of Hearts Supporters' Club, Robin Beith, said the SFA had to take at least some responsibility for what happened. "This type of situation does lend itself to people acting in an antisocial manner. The Pope is unrelated to football and the SFA should have known better than to have a minute's silence - I think they were ill advised," he said. Are the 20,000 other [Celtic] fans who were singing the Republic of Ireland's national anthem going to be arrested too?" But former lord provost Eric Milligan branded the fans' behaviour an "embarrassment to everybody associated with Hearts football club".
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 9:36 PM

"'Should John Paul II be made a saint?' is the question Catholics are asking each other," writes Katie Grant. "Should he be called John Paul the Great, like (insert name of influential journalist, university professor, celebrity who has just discovered it might be useful to be Catholic after all)? My answer is no, and no."

posted at 9:28 PM

Obituary of Rev the Hon Robin Buchanan-Smith, clergyman, businessman and hotelier. "Robin Buchanan-Smith had an unusual career, not only in the ministry of The Church of Scotland, nor just in the development of a remarkable family business - the Isle of Eriska Hotel - but also in the many, often unsung, activities which have had such a positive influence in Scotland, particularly among young people." Born 1 February, 1936, in Edinburgh; died: 2 April, 2005, in Edinburgh, aged 69.
Source: The Scotsman.
posted at 9:26 PM

A Tanzanian mother who for decades walked for 10 hours each night to fetch water for her family, will feature on this week's BBC Songs of Praise programme (April 17th, 17.40, BBC 1). Sally Magnusson also visits Gleneagles, Scotland, the venue for the July meeting of the G8 group of richest nations, as well as talking to local church volunteers from Tearfund in nearby Auchterarder. The programme features Aberdeen University Chapel Choir and singer Eddie Reader.
Source: Ekklesia.
posted at 9:19 PM

Hospitals in Scotland have carried out abortions on severely abnormal foetuses as late as six weeks short of their due date of birth. A spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland described an abortion at 34 weeks as "frankly appalling" and suggested most people would react with horror to it.
Source: The Herald.
posted at 9:17 PM

Father Aldo Angelosanto, the chairman of the National Conference of Priests and Deacons in Scotland, said of yesterday's poll claiming that more than 40 per cent of Scottish Catholic priests believe the Church should relax its rules on celibacy and allow them to marry: "I think you will find there is a silent majority in the Church that respects celibacy and wouldn't see that loosening of celibacy will solve the Church's problems."
Source: The Scotsman.
posted at 9:15 PM

Review of 'The Bible's Hidden Cosmology' by Church of Scotland minister Gordon Strachan, explaining his 'belief that a knowledge of astrology not only helps explain much of the symbolism and pervasive numerology existing throughout the Bible but also defines the qualities of this new age and makes the Bible's teaching more relevant to today's global needs.
Source: The Herald.
posted at 9:13 PM

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were wreathed in smiles yesterday as they went to Crathie Kirk on the first day of their honeymoon. The congregation broke into uncharacteristic applause when Ed Bushnell, the session clerk, wished the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay - their official titles in Scotland - a "long and happy future together". Capt Robbie Middleton, the lay preacher who led the service, gave thanks for the Queen and the Royal Family.
Source: Daily Telegraph.
posted at 9:06 PM

Hearts FC have apologised after a section of their fans disrupted a minute's silence in memory of Pope John Paul II before today's Scottish Cup semi-final with Celtic at Hampden Park.
Source: BBC Scotland News.
posted at 6:47 PM

John Haldane, Professor of Philosophy at the University of St Andrews, believes the main challenges now facing the Roman Catholic Church are of two sorts. "First, there are those that concern the Church itself as an institution. Here we might speak of the need of 'reform and renewal' ...The second broad area calling for attention is one marked out by John Paul himself. This is cultural evangelisation: reaching out to those beyond the Catholic, Christian and even religious folds."
Source: Sunday Herald.
posted at 6:36 PM

Four in 10 Catholic priests in Scotland believe that they should be allowed to marry, and 23% of them say the church should relax its ban on contraception and the ordination of homosexual clergy. Following the death of Pope John Paul II last weekend, a Sunday Times survey has revealed widespread support for a more liberal line to be taken by his successor. One in five priests also said that he would like to see the ordination of women. However, of the 80 priests interviewed - 10% of Scotland's Catholic clergy - none said that the church should drop its opposition to abortion. Many priests see no theological reason why they should not marry and have children. "It is only a church law and church law can be changed," said Father Brian Lamb of St Patrick's chapel in Shotts. Father Dominic Quinn, of St Kevin's chapel in Bargeddie, said: "In Britain we have had some married Anglican clergy who have become priests and the church law of celibacy has not been applied to them, so it is not seen as a divine institution." Father Joe Mills, from St Mary's chapel in Duntocher, said: "There could be an argument for women priests and, as for homosexuals, they make the same vows as heterosexual priests, so why not ordain them?"
Source: Sunday Times.
posted at 6:28 PM

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have carried out their first public engagement since their marriage, attending church in Aberdeenshire. The couple went to the 11 am service at Crathie Parish Church on the first day of their honeymoon in Scotland.
Source: BBC Scotland News.
posted at 6:21 PM

"Of all the pontificators on the late Pontiff, none has been better than our very own Harry Conroy, the editor of the Scottish Catholic Observer," writes Alan Cochrane, who proceeds with a couple of yarns involving Christina Odone, the former editor of the Catholic Herald, and Derek Bateman of Good Morning Scotland.
Source: Scotland on Sunday.
posted at 6:15 PM

Tomorrow a coalition of campaigning groups in Scotland is launching Trade Justice Week, aimed at highlighting problems with world trade in commodities such as sugar. The coalition includes Oxfam, Christian Aid, the World Development Movement and Friends of the Earth. Today the Sunday Herald reveals that two of Scotland's most successful food companies were given more than £790,000 of taxpayers' money in government hand-outs. Walkers Shortbread received £748,000 and Thomas Tunnock was given £44,100 during 2003-2004 under a scheme to compensate companies for the high cost of sugar and butter imposed by the European Union.
Source: Sunday Herald.
posted at 6:11 PM

Profile of SNP leader Alex Salmond, in the course of which he's asked if he is religious. "Yes I am, and no I tend not to talk about it. Most Scottish politicians dont advertise their personal faith, and I think that's very admirable ... I'm not a regular churchgoer. I am Church of Scotland. I am Presbyterian in my outlook to things. It is hugely influential on the way I look at things."
Source: Sunday Herald.
posted at 6:09 PM

The trendiest fashion accessory of the year, awareness wristbands, are about to get a new addition in the form of an Aids awareness band from the Church of Scotland. The distinctive red and black wristband will be launched at the General Assembly in May and only 5000 will be available.
Source: Sunday Herald.
posted at 6:06 PM

Feature on Roman Catholicism in Scotland, quoting journalist Pat Kane, gay Edinburgh Catholic Gerard Murray, Scottish Catholic Observer editor Harry Conroy, Michael McGrath, director of the Scottish Catholic Education Service, and unmarried Glasgow Catholic mother Frances Donnelly, who has two children by her Protestant partner and was told by a priest that she had put a curse on her daughters' lives because they were born out of wedlock.
Source: Sunday Herald.
posted at 6:04 PM

A wish for the truth of their relationship to be understood was at the core of Prince Charles' plan for himself and Camilla Parker Bowles, writes Mark Bolland, former aide to the Prince. A stage in this process was the decision that she should accompany him during a week of high-profile engagements in May 2000 as he became Lord High Commissioner of the Church of Scotland.
Source: Sunday Times.
posted at 5:59 PM

Profile of tsunami relief work in Indonesia, including contributions by Mercy Corps, the Christian organisation jointly headquartered in the United States and Scotland.
Source: USA Today.
posted at 5:51 PM

A leading Scottish churchman has lashed out at the "running commentary" over the Pope's death and funeral. Reverend Professor Donald Macleod of the Free Church of Scotland voiced a tirade of criticism against the suspension of civic life following the Pope's death. Writing in his column in the West Highland Free Press, he criticised the "national humiliation of the Prime Minister having to delay an announcement about the election". Prof Macleod, who has been visiting professor at Glasgow University since 1999, also highlighted the "outrage" of postponing the royal wedding. He said: "It's hard not to think the timing was deliberate, to embarrass the British monarchy." The professor added: "The suggestion that the heir to a Protestant throne should postpone his marriage in order to accommodate the Vatican is enough to make even a mild Presbyterian incandescent." Prof Macleod also hit out at "our guileless and gullible spiritual leaders" who welcomed the "ecumenical teddy-bear" Pope when he visited Scotland in 1982. Prof Macleod is considered a modernist within the Free Church.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 4:03 PM

Pope John Paul II was remembered across Scotland yesterday in the prayers of hundreds who attended special services on the day of his funeral. Catholic churches and schools also showed television pictures from the funeral at the Vatican. In Glasgow, the Polish community filled St Simon's Church for a funeral mass in the afternoon. In Edinburgh, St Patrick's Church in the Cowgate held a special requiem mass. A special screen was erected at St Mary's Cathedral in Aberdeen so mourners could watch the Pope's funeral.
Source: The Scotsman.
posted at 4:02 PM

The Most Rev Bruce Cameron, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, confirmed that along with the Bishops of Glasgow and Edinburgh he had met with "some colleagues within our church" to discuss their concerns about the recent statement on homosexuality by the College of Bishops.
Source: Scottish Episcopal Church news release.
posted at 10:14 AM

Text of the homily preached by the Right Rev Vincent Logan, Bishop Of Dunkeld, at the Requiem Mass for Pope John Paul II at St Andrew's Cathedral in Dundee on Friday April 8.
Source: Scottish Catholic Media Office news release.
posted at 10:13 AM

Scots church leaders in Rome attending the funeral of Pope John Paul II yesterday included Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Glasgow Archbishop Mario Conti and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Dr Alison Elliot. Cardinal O'Brien has called for the Pope to be canonised. He said: "In the eyes of many people he is a saint. He had a wonderful life and a beautiful death. I am sure that the process of canonisation will start at some time." And Archbishop Conti spoke of the air of sadness in Rome as the world said goodbye to the Pope. He said: "Rome is awash with people. I have never seen such a tide of humanity. The place is full of emotion."
Source: Evening Times, Glasgow.
posted at 10:05 AM

Ten rarely seen pictures of John Paul II visiting Scotland in 1982 have been released to BBC Scotland's news website by the Scottish Catholic Archive.
Source: BBC Scotland News.
posted at 8:15 AM

Churchmen last night met in an attempt to heal a rift among ministers and bishops over gay clergy. Members of the Scottish Episcopal Church's College of Bishops held talks with representatives of a coalition of orthodox (sic) churches.
Source: The Herald.
posted at 8:11 AM

Prince Charles and his intended bride will acknowledge their "sins and wickedness" when their wedding tomorrow is blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, it emerged yesterday. Rather than choose more newly written prayers of penitence for divorcees, the prince and the new Duchess of Cornwall will join the congregation in reading the strongest act of penitence from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer that states: "We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, by thought, word and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us." (English form of Holy Communion from the 1929 Scottish Book of Common Prayer)
Source: The Herald.
posted at 8:09 AM

A tape made from a 78 rpm record, carrying Dundee missionary Mary Slessor's recitation of the Prodigal Son in the native African dialect of Calabar, will soon be on its way back to south-east Nigeria. The record belongs to Dundee man Macdonald Black and is a copy of a wax cylinder recording Mary made in Africa 99 years ago.
Source: Dundee Courier.
posted at 7:59 AM

It is easy to forget that much of the Roman Catholic Church's centralised dogmatism has been formed only in the last century or so, writes Andrew Collier. "The concept of papal infallibility dates only from 1870. The drift of power from the episcopate to the Vatican is a product of the 20th century. And it is only under John Paul that dissident theologians have been ostracised to the point of - and even beyond - excommunication ... Most of the cardinals - certainly the ones outside the Curia - are very much in touch with the real world. They know the real state of the planet and recognise their Church's paucity of thinking in many areas. A goodly number of them understand that it is losing the arguments over issues such as abortion, contraception, celibacy, intercommunion and women and gay priests. Faced with marginalisation, continuing decline and empty pews, those cardinals may well now feel that the time has come to elect a pontiff who will make the Church more progressive in all or some of these areas."
Source: The Scotsman.
posted at 7:56 AM

Canonisation for Pope John Paul II will come, perhaps even within this decade, writes John Haldane, professor of philosophy at the University of St Andrews. "First, he was by training and inclination a philosopher- theologian ... The second aspect, more important than his philosophical orientation, was his role as a prophet ... John Paul was loved and admired; but was also feared and hated. This is the condition of prophets in times of impiety. Familiar too is the personal suffering. ... Although the physical distress was widely recognised, he was also troubled in heart by the priestly abuse scandals, hurt and ashamed by fellow pastors who had abused their offices of care and trust ... Personal asceticism, apostolic fervour, and fortitude in the face of bodily and spiritual trials are marks of the saint. Before canonisation can occur, however, there has to be an attested miracle unambiguously attributed to the intercession of the individual. As Catholics pray for the soul of Karol Wojtyla they should also feel confidence in seeking his intercession. Miracles will happen and the sanctity of another great soul will be recognised."
Source: The Scotsman.
posted at 7:53 AM

The Scottish Football Association have made a u-turn and ordered a one-minute silence to be observed at both of this weekend's Scottish Cup semi-finals to mark the death of the Pope. It was also confirmed last night that the SPL and SFL have held renewed discussions in light of the SFA's re-appraisal. Jim Divers, general secretary of the Celtic Supporters' Association, believes the SPL should take the lead from the SFA and insist on an across the board tribute at this weekend's Premier league matches. He said: "There's no point in sitting round the table at a sectarian summit if the football authorities don't take this golden opportunity to issue a directive on a minute's silence and help eradicate bigotry."
Source: The Herald.
posted at 7:46 AM

Speaking at the Scots College in Rome in his final public statement ahead of the Papal conclave, Cardinal Keith O'Brien said that the Catholic Church required a man of "deep spirituality" as Pope and that whoever was chosen would face a "daunting task" in following the legacy of John Paul II. Asked if he regarded the late Pope as a saint, he said that "many people regard him as a saint already".
Source: The Scotsman.
posted at 7:41 AM

Leaders of a dozen faiths from around Glasgow joined more than 1000 mourners to remember the Pope. St Andrew's Cathedral was packed for the requiem Mass, attended by representatives of other Christian churches and the local Sikh, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu communities. Monsignor John Gilmartin, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Glasgow, paid tribute to the "inspirational legacy" of John Paul II.
Source: Evening Times, Glasgow.
posted at 5:24 PM

Scottish churches are being asked to ring their bells at 13.45 on Thursday 7 July. "We're asking them to sound the alarm for the world's richest leaders that climate change requires major changes," said Dr Donald Bruce, head of the Church of Scotland's Society, Religion and Technology Project.
Source: Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) news.
posted at 1:16 PM

The Scottish Churches' Annual Racial Justice Conference, entitled Standing Together Against Racism, will be held on Saturday 11 June 2005 in Glasgow.
Source: Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) news.
posted at 1:13 PM

A Muslim leader was at the centre of a row today after being accused of comparing Pope John Paul II to the Prophet Muhammad. Jalal Chaudry sparked an angry reaction from across Edinburgh by describing the late Pope as "God's messenger of peace on this earth". A furious group of worshippers from Edinburgh's Central Mosque have told Mr Chaudry to resign as chairman of the Islamic Society of Scotland and apologise to the Muslim community.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 12:57 PM

Edinburgh's historic Greyfriars Kirk and its famous graveyard has attracted record visitor numbers of almost 20,000 last year after the completion of a £1.1 million refurbishment project.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 12:54 PM

"The issue of parading in Scotland is now being debated and considered solely in the context of the First Minister's self-proclaimed war on sectarianism," writes Ian Wilson, Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland. "All who value democracy, all who treasure freedom of assembly and expression, all who cherish the diversity of Scottish life should be very, very worried."
Source: The Scotsman.
posted at 12:44 PM

An Inverclyde crusade to highlight the shameful homeless crisis on our streets hit home last weekend. A crowd of young people took up the challenge to sleep rough for a night, with Girl Guides, teenagers from Inverclyde Youth for Christ and campaigners spending Saturday night in Greenock's Clyde Square.
Source: Greenock Telegraph.
posted at 12:37 PM

"Yes, the Pope was gifted. And heroic. But he was no saint," writes Ron Ferguson. "What has particularly disturbed my Reformed sensibilities in the past few days has been an uncritical adulation which has bordered on the idolatrous ... Watching the funeral tomorrow, what will it feel like to be a Catholic woman with a sense of vocation to the priesthood who has been told that she is disqualified not because of spiritual deficiencies but simply because she is a woman? This Pope has banned discussion of the subject. What will it feel like to be a priest who, having been told that he cannot marry, has to watch while married Anglican priests who have left their church because of their opposition to the ordination of women are admitted to the Roman Catholic priesthood? And all this in a church which regards a married man - St Peter - as its first pontiff. How will tomorrow's funeral tributes sound to an African woman dying of Aids, knowing that her church has banned the use of condoms to prevent the spread of the HIV virus? What will be the feelings of devoted Catholic single-sex couples, who not only plead in vain for a Christian blessing, but are described as "evil"? Or how about the mother of one of Chile's "disappeared", knowing that the Vatican secretly lobbied for General Pinochet's release from Britain? ... And it is impossible to parody the giving of a papal knighthood to Rupert Murdoch, that Dark Knight of the soul who produces "family values" newspapers like The Sun."
Source: The Herald.
posted at 12:30 PM

One of Edinburgh's best known festival venues has been banned from playing jazz in the afternoon because it interrupts Bible studies. Divinity students are among those who complained about the level of noise coming from the Spiegeltent, in George Square, last year.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 4:13 PM

"We all, Catholic and non-Catholic, lapsed Christians and devout people of other faiths, knew Pope John Paul II was one of the world's leaders," writes Margo MacDonald MSP. "Where he led the Catholic Church in terms of its teachings, recruitment and administration is already being flagged up for examination after his funeral. His legacy in those areas is controversial and parts of it may change. But the legacy of confidence he bequeathed to Scottish Catholics during his lifetime is secure and enduring."
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 4:10 PM

Mystery surrounds the discovery of six bodies dating back to the 16th century in the grounds of a historic church in Leith. Archaeologists uncovered four skeletons and the remains of at least another two bodies during construction work on the 19th-century St Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Constitution Street. Carbon dating by scientists has revealed the bodies date back to around the time of the Siege of Leith from 1559 to 1560, which involved French, English and Scots forces.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 4:08 PM

"The (Roman Catholic) church needs to get its act together. It can't go on the way it's going," says Biblical scholar and retired parish priest Father John Fitzsimmons. "Pope John Paul II was a wonderful man but he was an authoritarian and he allowed power to be centralised in Rome ... At certain moments, we should have an open Church that says 'let's talk about issues', such as the ordination of women ... The Church must be more democratic and remember that there is no such thing as a moral absolute. I am sorry that the abortion law was ever passed in this country. I don't agree with it. But whatever choice a woman takes, the Church should assure her that it still loves her. It must be more forgiving, more inclusive. John Paul II made it more exclusive and conservative. Now it must modernise. Take gays and lesbians. These are people that I would want the church to embrace and make sure that they are assured that they are part of a normal Christian loving community."
Source: Daily Record.
posted at 11:17 AM

Buchan Presbytery last night voted against a proposed review of the Church of Scotland congregations within Peterhead. The move, put forward by the General Assembly's Parish Appraisal Committee, would have effectively eliminated the need for the town's Trinity Parish, which has a congregation of around 400.
Source: Aberdeen Press & Journal.
posted at 11:11 AM

The civil liberties of Muslims have been eroded since the war on terror began, said Osama Saeed, Scottish spokesman for the Muslim Association of Great Britain. He said the issue of community relations was still being viewed in Scotland in the context of race. He said: "Muslims identify themselves by religion rather than by race. We are getting reports from so many people about the Islamophobia they are suffering and it is being suffered by people of Anglo-Saxon stock. They have converted to Islam and because a lady has put on a headscarf she is being shunned in the street and facing verbal abuse."
Source: BBC Scotland News.
posted at 11:10 AM

The Salvation Army has decided "with regret" to sell its Balvonie conference and training centre in Skelmorlie. Five jobs will be lost, although efforts are being made to offer staff alternative employment. The move is part of a national review of property announced last September to cut costs.
Source: Greenock Telegraph.
posted at 10:35 AM

Fundraisers hoping to redesign the interior of a historic Mearns church have been granted £10,000 by the Church of Scotland. Hopes are now high that full funding for the £139,000 makeover of Dunnottar Church, near Stonehaven, will be in place by the autumn.
Source: Aberdeen Press & Journal.
posted at 5:18 PM

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Dr Alison Elliot, is to travel to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II. Dr Elliot is undertaking a pre-arranged visit to Poland and the Czech Republic, and is presently staying in the Pope's home city of Krakow.
Source: Church of Scotland news release.
posted at 5:06 PM

Bishop Peter Moran, the Bishop of Aberdeen, will celebrate special Masses for Pope John Paul II in St Mary's RC Church, Inverness, at 7pm today and in the St Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Aberdeen at 7pm tomorrow. In his homily this evening, Bishop Moran will reflect on the life of Pope John Paul II and give thanks for "his leadership, his teaching and his example".
Source: Scottish Catholic Media Office news release.
posted at 5:03 PM

St Rollox Church in Glasgow will receive £30,000 from the Scottish Executive for childcare to allow asylum seekers and local residents to attend English and computer classes, befriending services and surgeries for health visitors.
Source: Scottish Executive news release.
posted at 5:00 PM

"Who would have thought the death of Rome's supreme pontiff would interfere with the marriage plans of the next Supreme Governor of the Church of England?" asks Oxford lecturer Marc Almond. "Until now, the royal family, prime minister and the whole establishment - defined by the 1701 Act of Settlement's ban on anyone 'reconciled to the bishop of Rome' - would always have put an English wedding ahead of any Roman funeral."
Source: The Guardian.
posted at 4:58 PM

Scotland's cardinal, Keith O'Brien, left Edinburgh Airport for Rome this morning. But Cardinal O'Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, does not believe he will be called upon to become the next Pope. He was near to tears in the airport prayer room when he said: "My first meeting will be tomorrow morning at the Vatican and it will be a very difficult task of choosing a successor to someone who was probably the greatest Pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church's 2000 years. It is an awesome responsibility." Although several names have emerged as possible contenders for the next Pope, Cardinal O'Brien does not believe he will be chosen. He added: "All my life I have done what God wanted me to do. I have not worked to be a bishop or a cardinal, but I have always said yes to those appointments. If I was asked to be Pope, of course my answer would be yes. In all honesty, I do not think it will come to that."
Source: Evening Times, Glasgow.
posted at 4:54 PM

Cardinal Keith O'Brien today laughed off suggestions that he could be the next Pope but said that he would take the job if he was asked. At Edinburgh Airport today he dismissed any suggestion he could be voted the next Pontiff. He said: "If I happened to be chosen obviously I would say yes. But I have a return ticket in my pocket and I honestly do not think it will be me."
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 4:51 PM

A Requiem Mass for Pope John Paul II will be celebrated at all 140 parishes in the Archdiocese of Glasgow and the Diocese of Paisley at 7 pm this evening. Tomorrow night a solemn Requiem Mass will be offered in St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow, attended by leaders of other Christian Churches as well as representatives of the Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities and politicians. On Thursday, a solemn Requiem Mass will be offered at St Aloysius Church, Rose Street, Glasgow at 12.30 pm to allow city office workers and shoppers to gather in prayer for the late Pope. In addition, every parish in the Archdiocese has opened a book of condolences. Meanwhile Archbishop Mario Conti will fly from Australia to Rome tomorrow to attend the Pope's funeral.
Source: Scottish Catholic Media Office news release.
posted at 1:49 PM

Scottish football clubs look unlikely to mark the Pope's passing with a minute's silence at any of this week's matches. Iain Blair, secretary of the SPL, said no tribute would be put in place unless a club made a request, while a spokesman for the SFA said there was no plans for any mark of respect at the two Scottish Cup semi-finals.
Source: The Herald.
posted at 9:02 AM

New scientific technologies should not be used to create a master race of humans, a leading member of the Church of Scotland warned last night. Dr Donald Bruce, the director of the Kirk's society, religion and technology project, said advances in nanotechnology - which involves manipulating materials at molecular level - could be hugely useful in treating people with cancer and helping disabled people to regain use of their limbs. But in a debate being held as part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival he warned against its potential to create a superhuman soldier or otherwise "enhanced" humans, who could be made stronger, faster and even more intelligent.
Source: The Scotsman.
posted at 8:55 AM

Scotland's religious, political and civic leaders last night joined the public to celebrate the life of Pope John Paul II at a thanksgiving Mass at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh.
Source: The Scotsman.
posted at 8:53 AM

Monsignor Chris McElroy of the Archdiocese of Glasgow, who spent 12 years working at the Scots College in Rome before returning to Scotland last year, does not believe the forthcoming papal conclave will be riven by theological disputes. He said: "I don't see any hurried change. Obviously a lot depends on who is elected, but I think most Catholics believe the position of the Pope is to preach the gospel and there are some things there that don't radically change. A new Pope brings a new spirit and he will be responsive to the spirit of the age and we don't know what to expect. No matter who he is, he will adapt the gospel message to our times."
Source: The Herald.
posted at 8:50 AM

Many Africans think it's time for an African pope. They say having a black at the top would anchor the Roman Catholic Church among the world's poor ... and recognize that the church is gravitating away from the ailing parishes and empty pews of Europe to focus on vibrant congregations to the south. "John Paul strengthened Africa's role in the church," said Mario Aguilar, dean of divinity at St. Andrew's University in Scotland. "John Paul gave the tools to the African churches to become more central to the church."
Source: AP/Newsday.
posted at 8:48 AM

Islanders on Bute have thrown another egg at the ill-fated plans for the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. In what is the first public rejection of their marriage in Scotland, the island's community council have refused to invite the couple to Bute because they object to Mrs Parker Bowles being given the title Duchess of Rothesay - a title previously used by Diana. Peter Lingard, one of the community councillors who voted against the invitation last week, said he objected to the principle of the marriage. "I don't think the man who can't get married in his own church, and whose own mother will not be going to the wedding ceremony, should then be the head of the Church of England," he said.
Source: The Scotsman.
posted at 8:44 AM

The latest newsletter from Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) is now online.
posted at 9:13 PM

Football-related bigotry came under the spotlight at Sectarianism in Glasgow, a seminar organised by the Herald newspaper, Glasgow City Council and the organisations Nil By Mouth and Sense over Sectarianism. Fred Shedden, of Nil By Mouth, said those who committed sectarian violence were at the end of a long chain which began with relatively innocuous remarks in the workplace or pub and moved along to sectarian songs and then to violent assaults and worse. Graham Spiers, chief sports writer of The Herald, said: "Rangers and Celtic both have problems, but I think it is worse at Ibrox, in spite of the old Scottish media cliche that one is as bad as the other. But Rangers have swathes of decent fans who are becoming more and more embarrassed by the bigots, whether the pig-ignorant ones or the 90-minute brigade."
Source: The Herald.
posted at 6:57 PM

Cardinal Keith O'Brien will fly to Rome tomorrow for the funeral of Pope John Paul II and to take part in the conclave which will elect a new Pope. "We enter this process in prayer and reflection asking the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and urging the faithful around the world to remember us in their prayers," he said. "I remain keenly aware of the fact that I am only the second, resident Scottish cardinal since the Reformation to participate in a Papal Conclave."
Source: Scottish Catholic Media Office news release.
posted at 6:42 PM

Members of the Buchan Presbytery will tomorrow discuss a proposed shake-up of three congregations in Peterhead. The Church of Scotland's recommendations could effectively eliminate the need for the town's 19th-century Trinity Parish Church building, which has a congregation of about 400. Peterhead would become a united charge and lose one of its three Church of Scotland ministers. St Andrew's Parish Church would be retained as a "church centre" and the Old Parish Church, known locally as the Muckle Kirk, would be kept as the town's main place of worship.
Source: Aberdeen Press & Journal.
posted at 2:24 PM

Controversy last night surrounded the decision not to observe a minute's silence in memory of Pope John Paul II at yesterday's game between Rangers and Motherwell. A considerable section of the travelling support sang "No Pope of Rome" after the kick-off.
Source: The Herald.
posted at 2:18 PM

Roman Catholics from across Dundee attended Masses in St Andrews Cathedral yesterday to mourn the death of Pope John Paul II. And a special service was held yesterday afternoon for the large Polish community of Dundee. The Pope was born near Krakow in 1920. As one mourner said, "He was just like family, and we have lost our father." Father Marian Lekawa, Chaplain for the Polish Community and Priest of St Simon's Church, Glasgow, led the Mass. Fr Lekewa said: "He was a great leader and I'm sure very soon he will be made a saint."
Source: Dundee Courier.
posted at 2:15 PM

Tribute to Pope John Paul II by Bishop Vincent Logan, Bishop of Dunkeld. "Evangelisation was at the heart of his pontificate, as witnessed by the publication of his Apostolic Letters, Tertio Millennio Adveniente and Novo Millennio Inuente, as he exhorted all of us, individually and collectively, to pray and reflect on our faith and to go out and spread the good news of the Gospel."
Source: Dundee Courier.
posted at 2:11 PM

An appreciation of Pope John Paul II by Mario Conti, Archbishop of Glasgow. "His legacy? A purified Church, a re-invigorated Church, a truly universal Church, a Church committed to ecumenical dialogue and to the defence of the dignity of the human person."
Source: The Herald.
posted at 1:33 PM

Hundreds of churchgoers gathered to support football ref Mike McCurry as he became a Baptist minister at the weekend after years as a lay preacher. He was ordained at a ceremony at Mosspark Church, Cardonald, Glasgow, on Saturday night. He will slot in beside the existing pastor at Mosspark, Leslie Edge, and will also become part of the chaplaincy team at two local schools.
Source: Daily Record.
posted at 1:31 PM

Leader article from The Herald on the death of Pope John Paul II. "The high regard in which he was held by people of all backgrounds is clear from this reaction to his death and yet, on one important level, Scotland missed the opportunity to pay its respects. While other sporting events across the world, including the Premiership fixtures in England, were either cancelled or preceded by a minute's silence, the biggest secular public gathering in Scotland - the match between Motherwell and Rangers - failed to acknowledge his passing. It appears Motherwell were quite prepared to make the necessary arrangements but decided against on the advice of both the police and the SPL. Since we are not privy to the details of that advice, we can only assume it was well intentioned. However, if it was motivated in any respect by a fear of provoking sections of the crowd, then it was misguided. The minority of football fans who would disrupt a minute's silence should not stop us from doing what is right. Clearly, the beliefs held by Pope John Paul II were not shared universally and some, including gay-rights campaigners and feminists, felt alienated by his conservatism on social issues. Yet he will still be remembered for the tirelessness with which he upheld the world's poor and championed peace. Implicit in these stances was his central belief that every human life is valuable in God's eyes."
Source: The Herald.
posted at 1:29 PM

Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of Cardinal Keith O'Brien being ordained as a priest and exactly 20 years since becoming a bishop. But instead of dwelling on such milestones, Cardinal O'Brien conducted a mass of remembrance for Pope John Paul II, who had died hours earlier. In Glasgow, more than 300 worshippers gathered for midday mass at St Andrew's Cathedral, offering up thanks for what Father William Clarke described as "a serene man who was close to his God". In Aberdeen, Bishop Peter Moran led a tribute mass at St Mary's Cathedral.
Source: The Herald.
posted at 1:26 PM

Scotland's political and civic leaders are due to pay their respects to the late Pope John Paul II at a special Requiem Mass in Edinburgh. The first minister will be among those attending the service, which will be led by Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland. The leaders of all Scotland's political parties have been invited to attend the Mass in St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh. A book of condolence has been opened in the cathedral.
Source: BBC Scotland News.
posted at 1:20 PM

Commissioner Shaw Clifton, the Salvation Army's Territorial Commander for the United Kingdom and Ireland, said: "We are holding in our prayers our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ and we express our sympathy and condolences. Salvationists in this territory are urged to be in prayer for the processes that will result in the identification of Pope John Paul's successor."
Source: Salvation Army news release.
posted at 1:17 PM

The Rev James Jones, Chair of the Methodist Scotland District, wrote to the Scottish Catholic Bishops: "We give thanks to God for the pope's own ministry and witness in the world-wide changes of the last quarter-century. Rightly, much will be said of his many particular contributions. Above all, he has remained a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and sustained others in that same calling." The Rev Will Morrey, President of the Methodist Conference, said: "This Pope's legacy will be felt throughout the religious and political worlds for decades to come."
Source: Methodist Church news release.
posted at 1:15 PM

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Rowan Williams, has paid a warm tribute to the life and ministry of Pope John Paul II, describing his last days as a 'lived sermon' for Eastertide about facing death with honesty and courage.
Source: Anglican Communion News Service.
posted at 1:10 PM

"For many years Pope John Paul II was an ambassador for the Gospel whose visits throughout the world touched many people. His visit to Scotland in 1982 remains a very memorable event, not only for the Roman Catholic community in Scotland but for all Christians. His call then to Christians to set out on a pilgrimage 'walking hand in hand' remains a challenge today - to both his own church and to other churches in Scotland in their ecumenical endeavour." Message of condolence and tribute to Pope John Paul II from the Most Reverend Bruce Cameron, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Source: Scottish Episcopal Church news release.
posted at 1:09 PM

"Pope John Paul was a witness to justice and peace throughout the world; he wrote three major encyclicals promoting justice and peace and made many other statements on social justice, human rights and peace." Tribute from Richard McCready, National Secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland.
Source: Justice and Peace Scotland.
posted at 12:38 PM

Appreciation of Pope John Paul II from Glasgow Churches Together. "We remember with affection Pope John Paul's visit to Scotland in 1982. He called for Christians of all denominations to heal our divisions and to work together as much as we can to build up both God's Kingdom and the whole body of the Church. We believe that John Paul's visit was a crucial milestone for the work of ecumenism in Scotland."
Source: Glasgow Churches Together.
posted at 9:10 PM

Reminiscences of Pope John Paul II's visit to Scotland in 1982 from Nora MacGuire, a member of the Papal Youth Choir; piper Bob Martin; Fr Paul Brooks, whose parish is St Ninians in Kirkintilloch; traveller storyteller and ballad singer Sheila Stewart, who represented Scotland's underprivileged when she sang at Bellahouston Park; and nurse Pat Edie; plus recollections of Sir Tom Farmer, who met the Pope five times.
Source: Sunday Mail.
posted at 8:47 PM

The leaders of Scotland's main political parties have paid their tributes to Pope John Paul II.
Source: BBC Scotland News.
posted at 8:19 PM

Pope John Paul II was secretly planning to visit Scotland more than 20 years after he first set foot in the country.
Source: Sunday Mail.
posted at 8:18 PM

Reactions to the death of Pope John Paul II from visitors to Carfin Lourdes Grotto.
Source: Sunday Herald.
posted at 8:15 PM

Reminiscences of Pope John Paul II's visits to Bellahouston Park and Murrayfield in 1982.
Source: Sunday Herald.
posted at 8:12 PM

The Moderator of the Church of Scotland's General Assembly, Dr Alison Elliot, expressed deep sympathy to the Catholic community in Scotland on the death of Pope John Paul II. "He had an extraordinary capacity to relate to people at the grass roots and to inspire them," she said. "It was not surprising that it was not long after the pope's visit that the ecumenical instruments in these islands were reformed in a way that enable full participation of the Roman Catholic Church. The life of the churches has been greatly enriched by their close involvement in our fellowship." She added: "There remains a sadness that, in a pontificate that was in many ways marked by openness and the language of communion, there has been little movement during his pontificate to remove the barriers to sharing communion. Nevertheless, we remain grateful that the hopes raised in the 1960s at the Second Vatican Council have remained alive during times that have seen all our Churches becoming more rather than less willing to change."
Source: Church of Scotland news release.
posted at 10:46 PM

Joel Edwards, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, said Pope John Paul II was one of the most remarkable Christian leaders of recent times. "We admired his readiness to forgive his would-be assassin early in his papacy, his commitment to evangelisation and the global Church, his promotion of peace, social justice and ecological concern, and his support for interaction and co-operation with other Christian churches and groups, including those of the Evangelical tradition. Despite differences between Catholics and Evangelicals, the Evangelical Alliance recognises that John Paul was committed, as we are, to credal Christianity. As such, in many instances he offered a welcome corrective to the forces of scepticism, secularism and theological liberalism, which threaten to undermine both the integrity of the Church and the effectiveness of its mission in the world. His gifts, energy and vision will be missed both within and beyond the Roman Catholic community."
Source: Evangelical Alliance news release.
posted at 10:42 PM

Following the death this evening of Pope John Paul II, the Scottish Catholic Church has released the text of obituary tributes from each of Scotland's eight Catholic Bishops.
Source: Scottish Catholic Media Office news release.
posted at 10:34 PM

Cardinal Keith O'Brien has given his reaction to the death of Pope John Paul II. "A great man has left the world's stage, but the legacy of life and love which he has handed on will long remain in our memory," the Cardinal said. "His pastoral visit to Scotland in 1982 is still engraved in the memory of those who took some part in that visit some 20 years ago. It was at the national Mass for Scotland at Bellahouston Park that the Pope used those historic words: 'We are only pilgrims on this earth, making our way towards that heavenly kingdom promised to us as God's children. Beloved brethren in Christ, for the future, can we not make that pilgrimage together hand in hand.' One might say that those words have motivated the whole Christian community in Scotland ever since to 'pilgrimage together'." Cardinal O'Brien added: "May God now grant him eternal rest and may we all learn something from the example of his life and love."
Source: Scottish Catholic Media Office news release.
posted at 9:41 PM

Pope John Paul II died in the Vatican this evening at 9.37 pm local time (7.37 pm GMT) after suffering from heart and kidney problems and unstable blood pressure.
Source: BBC News.
posted at 9:16 PM

The Roman Catholic Church, one of the oldest institutions on Earth, has seen 263 previous popes come and go. Many reached feeble old age, slowing the bureaucracy and raising questions about reform, without causing disaster or lasting damage to the faith. "People say the Church hasn't been here before, but it has," said John Haldane, a papal expert at Scotland's University of Saint Andrews. "The world has just not known it was here before. The media have changed all that."
Source: Reuters.
posted at 8:15 PM

Pope John Paul II is remembered in Scotland, where he visited, for his efforts to build ties between the Catholic church and other Christian denominations.
Source: Washington Post.
posted at 4:29 PM

Father Philip Tartaglia, director of the Pontifical Scots College, the Catholic seminary in Rome where priests have been trained for more than 400 years, said of Pope John Paul II: 'He has been an inspiration for so many people around the world - he was exactly what the Catholic church needed. He has been immense and people have already begun to give him the title of John Paul the Great, even if just for his length of service and the endurance and the strength that he showed.'
Source: Daily Record.
posted at 9:07 AM

Two historic Black Isle churches will go on the market soon, marking the end of an era that spanned the famous Disruption of 1843 and other periods of volatility in Highland church history. The Church of Scotland's General Trustees in Edinburgh this week approved the sale of the churches at Resolis and Urquhart, both B-listed buildings dating back to the 18th century. Urquhart Church in Ferintosh, built in 1795, held its final service on March 20. Resolis Church, at the eastern end of the parish, closed the previous Sunday, ending almost 240 years of continuous worship on the site since the original church was built in 1767.
Source: Ross-shire Journal.
posted at 8:11 PM

The iniquities of fair trade: Leo McKinstry says that the campaign against free trade is heaping misery on the Third World. "In effect, British retailers and consumers are being browbeaten into subsidising a certain small group of Third World producers at the expense of other poor and equally deserving producers. Oxfam actually boasts that 'fair trade farmers are now being paid three times more for their coffee beans than non-fair trade farmers' ... By propping up unwanted production the fair traders are actually driving down prices even further, which increases the economic damage to farmers and workers."
Source: The Spectator.
posted at 7:47 PM

Tessa Jowell was yesterday handed a petition from the Salvation Army, the Methodist Church and the children's charity NCH with more than 50,000 signatures demanding that children and young people be banned from gambling on fruit machines. Ms Jowell is UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
Source: Salvation Army news release.
posted at 7:30 PM

Full text of this morning's statement on the Pope's worsening health by Cardinal Keith O'Brien, President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland.
Source: Scottish Catholic Media Office news release.
posted at 7:26 PM

Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) is to appoint an interfaith education officer on behalf of the Churches' Agency for Inter Faith Relations in Scotland (CAIRS).
Source: Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) news.
posted at 7:24 PM

Feature on Straight Edgers, who eschew drink, drugs, smoking, casual sex ... and religion.
Source: Daily Record.
posted at 7:19 PM

The Church of Scotland's longest-ordained minister, the Rev James Clarence Finlayson, celebrates his 100th birthday tomorrow.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 7:12 PM

A designer claims she was discriminated against on the grounds of religion when colleagues left items relating to Celtic Football Club on her desk. In the first case of its kind in Scotland, Stacey Broadfoot, 18, also claims she was subjected to sectarian comments at Airdrie-based print firm HCV Design & Print and another company, Paul Castle Consultancy. She claims Mr Castle told her on a Christmas night out that he would not have given her the job if he had known she was a "Hun".
Source: The Scotsman.
posted at 7:11 PM

Three teachers are among those banned by Rangers from Ibrox for defying club stewards in the wake of the announcement by David Murray, Rangers chairman, that he was determined to rid Ibrox of bigots and what he called the "FTP" brigade.
Source: The Herald.
posted at 7:07 PM

Prayers were being said across Scotland today for Pope John Paul II. St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh saw a steady stream of visitors lighting candles and saying silent prayers from early this morning. The Pope's poor health was set to be the focal point of lunchtime masses at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh and St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow. Harry Conroy, editor of The Scottish Catholic Observer, said: "Everyone is now preparing for the end." On his legacy, Mr Conroy said: "The first one, and the one most people forget, is that he played a crucial role in the downfall of Communism. No-one thought Poland and Russia would convert to democracy without bloodshed. He has also written many encyclicals and will remembered as a teaching Pope."
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 6:57 PM

The Pope was today "fading serenely" as Catholics all over the world joined in prayer for the failing pontiff. A Vatican spokesman said he was in a grave condition, after suffering heart failure and septic shock. However, the 84-year-old was lucid enough to celebrate Mass with some top aides. Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of Scotland's Catholics, said that the pontiff was "patiently waiting for God to call him". The Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway in the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Rt Rev Idris Jones, said his prayers were with the Catholic community. He said: "For some time now the Episcopal Church in Glasgow has been adding our prayers for the Pope, that he should be comfortable in those last few days of his life. Our prayers will continue for the whole community of the Catholic Church. He has immense bravery and wonderful leadership which he has continued right to the end of his life." And a spokeswoman for the Church of Scotland said: "We are saddened that the Pope is gravely ill and will be remembering him in our prayers."
Source: Evening Times, Glasgow.
posted at 6:45 PM

The Moderator of the Church of Scotland's General Assembly, Dr Alison Elliot, is to visit Auschwitz to pay respects to the only known Scots victim of the Holocaust. Jane Haining, who was born at Dunscore, Dumfriesshire, worked with children at the Church of Scotland Mission to the Jews in Budapest.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.
posted at 6:06 PM

The leader of Scotland's Catholics has said that Pope John Paul II appears ready to hand himself over to God. Cardinal Keith O'Brien spoke on Friday morning shortly after the Vatican announced that the Polish-born pontiff had been given the last rites. The Edinburgh-based clergyman cancelled his planned annual holiday to the US after seeing how frail the Pope was. Cardinal O'Brien said: "There is sadness by very many many people, not just by Roman Catholics."
Source: BBC Scotland News.
posted at 6:03 PM