Vatican correspondent to share comms tips

The Vatican Correspondent for EWTN News joins us for our Effective Parish Communications webinar on Sat 19 July at 10am.

Colm Flynn is a renowned, professional broadcaster and contributor to the BBC World Service and Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

He will share his thoughts on the importance of media in evangelisation, drawing on his extensive experience.

He has reported from places such as Ukraine, Albania and Kenya and has interviewed names including Andrea Bocelli, Jordan Peterson and actor Jonathan Roumey.


He also played a key role in covering both the death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV.

The webinar also features Elaine Furmage of Being Catholic TV and Bishop Frank Dougan (Galloway Diocese) who has launched a communications commission for the Bishops' Confernce of Scotland.

Host Matt Meade, Communications Director for the Archdiocese, said: "This one-hour webinar will be crammed with communications tips and inspirational stories - perfect for those who help with comms at their parish.

Effective Parish Communications, Saturday 19 July, 10:00am-11:00am. Register at bit.ly/parishcomms

Volunteers all set for Lourdes!

The Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes begins on Friday, led by Archbishop Cushley. We spoke to Scott Johnston, 52, a volunteer nurse on this year’s Archdiocesan Lourdes pilgrimage, to find out more about the brilliant care and support that the sick and infirm assisted pilgrims receive.

What is the main role of a volunteer nurse in Lourdes?
Pilgrimage nurses undertake a variety of roles across the year. All of our team are primarily focused on providing 24-hour nursing care whilst we are in Lourdes. We are also involved in meeting with assisted pilgrims and their families before travelling to discuss care needs and how this will be provided in the St Frai (the accommodation for assisted pilgrims). The Nursing Team deliver training sessions to support existing and new volunteers. I usually travel independently to Lourdes and help to set up our section of the St Frai before our pilgrimage group arrive. I then provide nursing care to pilgrims during the pilgrimage.

What is the best part of being a volunteer nurse?
I really enjoy being able to spend time with the assisted pilgrims and the other volunteers. As a pilgrimage nurse I also participate in all the masses and activities during the week. Lourdes allows me to use my clinical nursing skills in a way that I no longer do regularly in my day job in the NHS (National Maternity Improvement Advisor).

And the most challenging?
The week is very tiring, but it is also very enjoyable, so that makes up for it!

What kind of professional care do assisted pilgrims get?
The care we provide varies depending on the need of the pilgrim. This can include personal care, medication administration and assisting with eating and drinking. The nursing team are also responsible for dealing with any emergency situations that may occur (this is not very often).

From your experience, what parts of the pilgrimage do assisted pilgrims enjoy the most?
When I speak with pilgrims, they all speak of the spiritual side of Lourdes, the activities and the companionship as the parts they enjoy the most.

What support do volunteer nurses get in their role?
We have preparation meetings and training sessions. As a team we are very conscious of the variety of skills that we all have and we work very closely to support each other before and during the pilgrimage.

What feedback have you had from the families of assisted pilgrims about their experience in Lourdes?
 The feedback from families that I have had is very positive. Many families end up joining the pilgrimage in future years!

How do I find out more about this year’s pilgrimage?
Go to the www.edinburgh-lourdes.com which has all the info on this year’s pilgrimage.

This interview was originally published in February 2025.  www.edinburgh-lourdes.com/lourdes25

Pilgrims' joy on 1899 visit to Lourdes

Ahead of the Archdiocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes on Friday, we share fascinating insight into a 19th century pilgrimage from Edinburgh to Lourdes reveals the devotion of Scotland's Catholics to Our Lady.

Around 100 lay people from across Scotland travelled together in September 1899, along with nearly 30 priests.

A report of the pilgrimage describes their "tears of joy" as they took part in the famous torchlight procession at the French holy site.

A photo of the pilgrims in Lourdes has been shared by Donald Shaw, a longtime Lourdes Pilgrim himself, and a former principal teacher at Holy Rood High School.


It was on the pilgrimage that his grandfather, Donald Stuart Shaw, manager of the Ben Nevis distillery in Fort William, met future wife Belle Barnard of Edinburgh (both highlighted, above).

The Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage was led by Archbishop Angus MacDonald of St Andrews & Edinburgh (pictured bottom left, seated between Bishop James Augustine Smith (Dunkeld Diocese, right) and Bishop Aeneas Chisholm (Aberdeen Diocese, left). Bishop Smith would later become Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh from 1900-28.

The Pilgrims first visited Paris, which included a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral.

They then headed to Lourdes with the report in The Tablet stating: "All credit is given for the cheerful manner in which they bore the great fatigue of the twenty hours' journey".

The report continues: "The first glimpse of the church of Lourdes, as its bright lights broke through the darkness of night, was hailed with an enthusiastic singing of ‘Hail Queen of Heaven.’

"During the five days' stay at Lourdes the pilgrims from Scotland occupied the place of honour in the various processions.

"On the Feast of the Nativity, the Archbishop carried the Blessed Sacrament in a procession which had a congregation of 50,000.

“The thrilling hymns, the long line of invalids on couches, the living faith and the stirring sermons, all combined to produce a scene of religious splendour never to be forgotten by those privileged to witness it.

"On the last day of the pilgrimage a Pontifical High Mass was sung by the Archbishop, the sanctuary being filled with a crowd of Scottish, Belgian, Irish, American, German and French priests.

"At the end of the Mass the magnificent banner of St Andrew with the Royal Arms of Scotland was laid on the steps before the high altar, and thus Scotland's tribute of devotion to the Mother of Jesus takes its place among the standards of the world which fulfils the words, 'Behold all nations shall call Me Blessed'.

"At the immense torch-light procession the Scots again led the procession with their three Bishops in front.

Cries were raised by the Belgians for God's blessings on the brave Scots.

"The scene baffled all description. The Aves of so many different nations, said by their tens of thousands as they moved round the beautifully illuminated buildings, rendered it impossible to restrain the tears of joy.

"Particularly impressive was the moment when Archbishop MacDonald was called upon to bless the immense multitude.

"A piper in full dress formed a striking figure."

"His voice rang through the air as the kneeling crowd responded, and then fervent faith prayers were said for the conversion of Scotland and the welfare of France.

"Cries were raised by the Belgians for God's blessings on the brave Scots, and this was most heartily responded to by ringing cheers for France and Belgium.

"Never will the Scottish pilgrims forget the hospitable reception accorded them.

"It was the pride of these faithful friends of Scotland to prove that they still remembered that both nations once recognised the same faith and were the children of the beautiful and beloved Sovereign, Mary Queen of Scots.

"Headed again by the piper as he played his lament, the pilgrims bade farewell to Lourdes, each repeating, 'If God spares me, I will visit Lourdes again.'"

The Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place 11-18 July 2025, led by Archbishop Cushley. This article was first published in March 2025.

Clergy moves and appointments

Here are the latest clergy moves & other appointments of note, to take canonical effect on 6 September, unless otherwise noted.

Appointments:


Parish Priests and Administrators

Assistant Priests

Retirement

Rev Patrick Carrigan to retire from the active diaconate at the end of September 2025.

Here is a reminder of the clergy moves announced in June


These moves become canonically effective on 2 August 2025.

Support Pope Leo with Peter's Pence

With your donation to Peter's Pence, you offer tangible support as the Holy Father takes his first steps as Pope.

This Sunday a special collection takes place at parishes across Scotland to support the Holy Father in his mission at the service of the universal Church.

Your contribution is an expression of support for the needs of the Catholic Church around the world and the charitable works it carries out.

Help him proclaim the Gospel to the world and extend a hand to our brothers and sisters in need.

Aims of Peter's Pence

●  To support the Holy Father’s mission, which extends throughout the entire world, from the proclamation of the Gospel to the promotion of integral human development, education, peace, and brotherhood among peoples: thanks also to the many activities of service carried out by the dicasteries, bodies and organs of the Holy See who assist him every day.

●  To support the numerous charitable works in aid of people and families in difficulty, populations afflicted by natural disasters and wars, or who are in need of humanitarian assistance or support for development.

Assisted Suicide vote: 'Do not give up hope'

Archbishop Cushley has urged Catholics not to lose hope and to continue praying and working to reject assisted suicide.

On Friday, MPs narrowly voted in favour of introducing assisted suicide in England & Wales, supporting the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill by 314-291 votes. Find out how Scottish MPs voted here.

The Archbishop made his comments at St Patrick's Church in Kilsyth on Sunday which hosted the annual Archdicoesan Corpus Christi procession.

He said: "People talk about choice, compassion and dignity - but I fear that all three risk being lost in what we are seeing happening in our country.

I will continue to speak about it and point out in all charity the mistakes and the flaws that are contained in these decisions

"As Catholic Christians we have a consistent principled position that has not changed and that cannot change; life is a gift that we receive and that we pass on to others, it is a gift from God.

"Even if you don’t believe in God, life is something given to us that we cannot take, we can only give back, we can only nurture and we can only love.

"I will continue to speak about it and point out in all charity the mistakes and the flaws that are contained in these decisions, even if they are well intentioned and well meaning."

He echoed the message of Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland who assured the poor and vulnerable that the Church will never abandon them, writes the Catholic Parliamentary Office.

He said: “I make this promise to all people: the Catholic Church will continue to offer her unwavering commitment to the poorest and most vulnerable. We will never abandon you.”

He added: "Despite the deeply held and clearly expressed concerns of some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including the disabled, MPs have decided to progress this Bill and move one step closer to the establishment of state facilitated suicide.

“There is no dignity in handing a lethal concoction of drugs to a vulnerable person to help them kill themselves.”

“Despite yesterday’s result, we still hold out hope that sense will prevail and this Bill will not pass into law.

Paul Atkin, Pro-Life Officer for the Archdiocese said: "We will continue to advocate for a culture of life, promoting palliative care and ensuring that all individuals receive the love, respect, and assistance they deserve, especially during their most vulnerable moments.

"Our efforts will also include greater education and resources for Catholics and all people of good will on the Church's teaching against euthanasia and assisted suicide."

The Bill will now pass to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.

The dangerous Bill, which has been criticised by medical bodies, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Physicians, has also been strongly opposed by organisations representing vulnerable people across the UK, including the disabled, the elderly, those with eating disorders and victims of domestic abuse, who fear that people will be coerced into an early death.

Whilst the law would not apply to Scotland, it is likely to influence similar legislation currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament and which is expected to be considered by MSPs later in the year.

Keep up to date on this issue by visiting the website of the Catholic Parliamentary Office.

Andrew awarded posthumous Archdiocesan Medal

Tributes were paid today at a Memorial Mass for an inspirational Christian who was posthumously awarded the Archdiocesan Medal.

Andrew Sharkey was a well-known and much loved headteacher at St Kentigern's in Blackburn, West Lothian, when he died aged just 54 in November last year.

Archbishop Cushley with Siobhán and sons Andrew and Benjamin after Mass.

In his homily at St Margaret's Chapel at The Gillis Centre, Edinburgh, Archbishop Leo Cushley said Andrew displayed "love, faith and fidelity" throughout his life.

He told his widow Siobhán and their two boys Andrew and Benjamin: "Today, on behalf of his colleagues from across the Archdiocese, we all want to say thank you for the extraordinary man he was.

"He did so much good in the time he had with us."

Andrew had been head teacher at St Kentigern's since 2014.

Andrew's family, friend, colleagues along with pupils from St Kentigern's Academy.

As chief catechist Andrew led the school community in placing Jesus at the centre of daily life and sharing the moral teachings and the faith of the Church.

He was also awarded the Archdiocesan medal for his commitment to social justice and the common good, which manifested itself in his commitment to serving others in serving others.

This included his long-term commitment to scouting since 1998, where he championed opportunities for young people through his inspirational leadership.

In 2018, Andrew was appointed to lead Scottish Scouting as its Chief Commissioner, a role he held until 2023.

Today's Mass was attended by family, friends and colleague and was concelebrated by Fr John Deighan, Vicar Episcopal for Education.

Read more about the life of Andrew Sharkey here. The Archdiocesan Medal for Outstanding Service to the Church was established in 1975 by Cardinal Gordon Joseph Gray. It is awarded for outstanding voluntary service to the Church at a local level. 

Stella Maris: A Good Samaritan for Seafarers

When a fisherman fled his boat after allegedly being abused by the captain, he ended up stranded at Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow.

Robert King, Regional Port Chaplain for Stella Maris at ports including Leith and Grangemouth, was informed of his plight and went to find him.

“I quickly identified the fisher, who was from Ghana, sitting on a bench looking scared and lost," he said.

"He had no money and was so grateful to see a friendly face. By now it was after 6:00pm and a storm was raging.

Stella Maris paid for a hotel room for the fisher to spend the night. He was glad to be away from the bus station and in the comfort of the hotel.

"I made sure he had a phone charger so he could keep in touch with his family and myself, and I gave him some money for essentials.”

“Because of the storm, he had to spend a second night in the hotel. Acting on advice from the International Transport Workers Federation, I persuaded the fisher to return to Campbeltown, where his boat was anchored, to report the alleged abuse by the captain to the local police station, which he did.”

A resolution was reached, and the fisher has now started working on a different vessel in Scotland. “He was very grateful for the assistance that I gave him,” said Robert.

A friend when one is needed

When seafarers and fishers arrive in a port, they are strangers in a foreign land.

They do not know the locals and often don’t know who to turn to when they need help.

Port chaplains and volunteer ship visitors from Stella Maris (the Catholic Church's maritime agency and formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea) are there for them.

They are concerned for the welfare of seafarers and fishers.

This year’s Gospel for Sea Sunday which falls on 13 July reminds us about the love and care that the Good Samaritan showed to the stranger that he found upon the road.

For seafarers and fishers, Stella Maris is that Good Samaritan.

Theor simple acts of kindness by Stella Maris port chaplains and ship visitors mean so much to seafarers who are far from home and feeling isolated.

On Sea Sunday, which falls on 13th July this year, let us pray for seafarers, fishers, and the work of Stella Maris.

Parishes have the option of having a special collection for Sea Sunday on 13 July. Donations can be made to Stella Maris here. 

Holy Mass celebrated by Bishops at Holyrood

Bishops from across Scotland gathered at the Scottish Parliament to celebrate Mass with MSPs and staff.

The Mass marked the feast of Ss John Fisher and Thomas More, the patron saint of politicians, and featured

MSPs from all parties and the Parliament’s Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone, attended the Mass, with the Presiding Officer and sponsoring MSP, Mark Griffin, assisting with readings.

Alison Johnstone, the Parliament’s Presiding Officer, reads the bidding prayers during the Mass.

After the Mass, Paul O’Kane MSP presented the bishops with a framed copy of a parliamentary motion welcoming the election of Pope Leo and which attracted cross-party support in the Parliament.

Paul O’Kane MSP presenting Bishop Keenan with a framed copy of a parliamentary motion.

The motion highlights how Pope Leo’s first words from the balcony at St Peter’s Square included the need to “build bridges”.

After accepting the motion and thanking Mr O’Kane, Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: “That’s what Pontifex literally means, being a bridge builder.

“That’s part of why we are here today – to build bridges between the church and parliament and we appreciate this opportunity to come here, to make friends and discuss things.

“Some things we’ll agree on, some things we won’t, that’s part of the process.

“But there is so much work to be done in Scotland together as we continue to get to know each other, to think how we can work better together for the common good.”

In his homily during the Mass, Archbishop Leo Cushley, said: “One of Pope Francis’ lessons was that we listen to each other and be merciful to each other; listen to each other without prejudice and with humility and goodness and openness of heart.

“The Bishops and the Catholic Church in Scotland is a willing and open partner to work with you and to listen to you and, for our part, to accompany you when we possibly can.”

Westminster backs abortion up to birth

MPs voted by 379 votes to 137 in favour of an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that would change the law to make it legal for women to perform their own abortions up to birth, writes the Catholic Parliamentary Office.

The new law, which will now be considered by the House of Lords, would allow for the abortion of a healthy baby right up until the moment of birth and would include abortion for sex-selective purposes.

Whilst the law would only apply to England & Wales (the law relating to abortion is devolved in Scotland), it will undoubtedly influence similar moves to decriminalise abortion in Scotland.

Despite the law not directly applying to Scotland, many Scottish MPs still voted on the proposal.

Thirty MPs voted in favour, whilst nine voted against.

Seventeen Scottish MPs did not vote, including all nine SNP MPs who, as a matter of party policy, would not vote on laws which are not directly related to Scotland. View the full list of how Scottish MPs voted.

Please use the Write to Them online tool to contact your MP about their vote.

Responding to the vote, Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley, urged people “never to give up hoping that the dignity of all human life—from conception until natural death—will be upheld and defended on our shores”.

Bishop Keenan expressed his gratitude to all those who engaged with their MPs on the matter and to all who “struggle every day to defend the rights of the unborn in our society and across the world. May God reward your efforts.”

Anthony Horan, Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, said that the vote marked “a dark day for our country” and said that MPs were “wildly out of touch with the electorate”, after a poll revealed only 1 per cent of the British public supported abortion up to birth.

Mr Horan quoted Pope John Paul II, who described the culture of death, including abortion and assisted suicide, as a “war of the powerful against the weak”.

He added: “This has never been better illustrated than by MPs in Westminster last night; hundreds of adults gathering to decide the fate of tiny, innocent, unborn babies.”

Paul Atkin, Archdiocesan Pro-Life Officer, said: “MPs ignored warnings that there will be a significant increase in late term abortions and their vote further dehumanises unborn children.

“Pope St John Paul II said that “the acceptance of abortion in the popular mind, in behaviour and even in law itself, is a telling sign of an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense, which is becoming more and more incapable of distinguishing between good and evil.” (Evangelium Vitae, no. 58)

“On Friday, MPs will vote on dangerous proposals to allow assisted suicide and I’d urge all Catholics to write to their MPs with their concerns today.  The best way is via https://writetothem.com

How Archdiocesan MPs voted on abortion up to birth:

Against:

John Lamont Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

For:

Brian Leishman Alloa and Grangemouth
Melanie Ward Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Katrina Murray Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch
Graeme Downie Dunfermline and Dollar
Chris Murray Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Tracy Gilbert Edinburgh North and Leith
Ian Murray Edinburgh South
Scott Arthur Edinburgh South West
Christine Jardine Edinburgh West
Euan Stainbank Falkirk
Gregor Poynton Livingston
Susan Murray Mid Dunbartonshire
Kirsty McNeill Midlothian
Wendy Chamberlain North East Fife
Chris Kane Stirling and Strathallan

Did not vote:

Kirsteen Sullivan Bathgate and Linlithgow
David Mundell Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Richard Baker Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Douglas Alexander Lothian East