Pastoral Letter for Day for Life

Bishop John Keenan is calling on Catholics to renew their commitment to opposing attempts to introduce assisted suicide in Scotland.

He made the comments in a pastoral letter to be shared with Catholics this Sunday to mark the annual Day for Life.

Bishop John, of Paisley Diocese, has episcopal responsibility for Life Issues in Scotland.

He said: "Our faith teaches us that there is no such thing as a useless life, and to reverence the gift of life to its natural end.

"Assisted suicide sends a message to disabled people that they are a burden and puts pressure on the vulnerable to opt to die, as in Oregon where half of those who chose assisted suicide felt a burden on their families, communities and healthcare system."

He added: "When the elderly and disabled are worried about being a burden, our response should be to commit ourselves to providing care and compassion to help them have a life worth living."

Day for Life

The annual Day for Life is celebrated on Sunday 16 June. It highlights Church teaching that life is to be nurtured from conception to natural death.

The theme is The Lord is my Shepherd – Compassion and Hope at the End of Life.

Day for Life is celebrated each year across three Episcopal Conferences - England and Wales, Ireland and Scotland. Bishop John Sherrington (England and Wales), Bishop Kevin Doran (Ireland), and Bishop John Keenan (Scotland) commend this year’s theme.

A special collection will take place at vigil and Sunday Mass on Sunday 16 June for the Bishops' Conference of Scotland's Apostolate for Life.

A resource document can be found here.

A debate on end-of-life issues has been in the headlines in Scotland, with the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill being introduced at Holyrood.

Bishop Keenan added:  "The Day for Life is an invitation for us to renew our calling personally and as a society to care for others at the end of their lives, and to help our culture to see the end of life as an occasion for spiritual growth filled with grace and love."

Read the pastoral letter here. Day for Life Resources can be accessed here. The Day for Life takes place on Sunday 16 June.

Event

To tie in with the Day for Life, the Archdiocese is hosting a workshop: 'Called to Care, Not to Kill'.

It takes place on Tuesday 18 June at 7:00pm in The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh.

The workshop is free and you can register here.

By the end of the workshop you'll be able to engage with, and inform others, in plain language, about key concerns arising from Assisted Suicide bill.

This initiative will be supported by the Campaign Against Assisted Dying group (CAAD), who have experience in such development work, in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office.

GALLERY: Celebrating the Caritas Awards!

Archbishop Cushley has congratulated senior pupils from across the Archdiocese for their charitable work in the church and community.

He attended the The 10th Annual Caritas award ceremony at the Clyde Auditorium on Monday (3 June).

He was joined by Archbishop Bill Nolan (Glasgow), Bishop Joe Toal (Motherwell), Bishop Brian McGee (Argyll & the Isles) and Bishop Francis Dougan (Galloway) and around 1,600 pupils!

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Archbishop Cushley said: "The Caritas Awards are unique to Scotland and it’s something we should all be quietly proud of because it has contributed hundreds of thousands of hours of charity to the common good.

"I was heartened by the many young people who are coming to know and value the act of charity.

"I have no doubt that it is a commitment that they will carry forward in their own lives to better those around them and ultimately the society we live in."

The Pope Benedict XVI Caritas Awards were introduced in 2011, as part of a legacy of the UK visit of Pope Benedict XVI.

It asks young people to use their faith to inspire practical work in the Church and local community as part of their faith witness.

 

All images: Paul McSherry

WATCH: Corpus Christi Procession in Edinburgh

A Corpus Christi procession took place on the streets of Scotland's capital today (Sunday 2 June) as a public witness to our faith in Jesus Christ.

The procession, organised by the Archdiocese, began at St Patrick's Church in The Cowgate, before heading onto the Royal Mile, with participants singing hymns in praise of Jesus.

It followed Mass in which Archbishop Leo Cushley was the principal celebrant. Watch below or on YouTube

Archbishop Cushley said: "It's a very visible and public celebration of our Faith.

"The Corpus Christi procession is intended for the good of all the people who live here, that they may be blessed and have peace."

Catholic organisations taking part included The Sovereign Order of Malta, The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and The Knights of St Columba.

Thanks to Fr Gerard Hatton, Fr Ninian Doohan and all at St Patrick's for hosting this special event.

Other priests who concelebrated Mass were Fr Josh Moir (St Patrick's, Kilsyth), Fr James Cadman (St Mary & St David, Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso) and Fr Joe McAuley (Archdiocese of Glasgow).

GALLERY: Mass for Married & Engaged Couples

Archbishop Cushley celebrated Mass for Married & Engaged Couples at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh last night (Wednesday 29 May) .

The annual event sees couples come before the Lord to reflect on the beautiful Catholic vision for marriage and family life, thanksgiving for the gift of this calling, and prayer for the blessing of their love.

The longest married couple attending were Margaret and Bill Mawdsley, parishioners at St John the Baptist in Corstorphine, married for 69 years (pictured to the right of Archbishop Leo).

The most recently married couple attending were Francesco and Nardina, from Italy and now resident in Edinburgh, who married just seven months ago.

Archbishop Cushley was the principal celebrant at the Mass and was joined by Fr Robert Taylor, Fr Jeremy Milne (Ss John the Baptist & Kentigern, Corstorphine), Fr Benedict Iwatt (Our Lady & St Andrews, Galashiels) and Deacon Peter Traynor.

Thanks to Fr Jeremy and members of his Marriage & Families commission for a wonderful evening, along with the Cathedral choir, volunteers and staff of Coffee Saints.

Gallery

 

 

Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Dunkeld

Pope Francis had nominated Fr Andrew McKenzie as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld.

Following the sad passing of Bishop-elect Martin Chambers he will succeed Bishop Stephen Robson who was Bishop of Dunkeld from 2013 to 2022.

Fr Andrew said: “I am humbled by the trust that Pope Francis has placed in me by inviting me to be the next Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld. With faith in God’s guidance, and with some nervousness, I accepted his invitation.

"I take courage in the understanding that I will not be working alone, for each of us has a role to play in the work of evangelisation

"I look forward to getting to know the priests and people of the diocese and to join them in the work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"I take courage in the understanding that I will not be working alone, for each of us has a role to play in the work of evangelisation.

"I have good memories of the diocese from a previous role as Director of Priests for Scotland when I was a regular visitor to Dundee at the invitation of Bishop Vincent Logan. I look forward to reconnecting with people and places.

"I know that this has been a difficult time for the Diocese of Dunkeld with the unexpected death of Bishop Elect Martin Chambers. We remember him and continue to pray for his eternal rest.”

Diocesan Administrator Fr Kevin Golden said: "The Diocese of Dunkeld joyfully receives the news of Fr Andrew McKenzie being nominated as the Bishop of Dunkeld by our Holy Father Pope Francis.

"The priests, deacons, religious and lay people of Dunkeld look forward to welcoming him and the leadership he will exercise as our Shepherd. We ask of the Lord many blessings for him, and we shall keep him in our prayers each day.

Welcoming the appointment of Fr. McKenzie, the administrator of his Cathedral, Archbishop Nolan of Glasgow said: "May I congratulate Fr Andrew McKenzie on his appointment as Bishop and may I also congratulate Dunkeld Diocese who now acquires a fine priest as their leader and guide.

"In his 36 years of priestly service the Archdiocese of Glasgow and the wider Church in Scotland have benefited from his talent, his commitment, his perseverance, and the high standards he has set in a variety of ministries.

"He has shown care for parishioners and care for his fellow priests, with a devotion also to the worthy celebration of liturgy and the praise and worship of God."

Archbishop Cushley welcomed the appointment, saying: "I'm very pleased that Pope Francis has appointed Canon McKenzie as the Bishop of Dunkeld, both for the people of the diocese and the wider Church in Scotland."

Biography

 

Study Theology in Edinburgh (Webinar)

Join our webinar to discover all about the forthcoming MA in Applied Catholic Theology Course at St Mary's University's Scottish campus in Edinburgh.

It takes place on Wednesday 29 May from 6:00pm to 7:00pm on Zoom. Register at bit.ly/theologywebinar

The 60-minute session includes:

SAAS funding is available for all Scottish students taking the MA in Applied Catholic Theology course 2024/25.

The course is offered by St Mary’s University in partnership with the Archdiocese at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh.

To register/enquire about the course itself please visit https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/applied-catholic-theology or email susan.longhurst@stmarys.ac.uk 

Corpus Christi procession this Sunday

The Archdiocesan Eucharistic Procession for the Feast of Corpus Christi, led by Archbishop Cushley, takes place at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh at midday on Sunday 2 June.

Holy Mass will be celebrated in the church ahead of the procession, at 11:00am.

Please join us and be a public witness to the Eucharistic Lord in Scotland's capital.

The Route

The route is a 500m (0.3 mile) loop: Cowgate, St Mary’s Street, High Street, Blackfriars Street,then onto Skinner’s Close and S Gray’s Close. Please note, the route is on pathways only. Please follow guidance from stewards on the day.

 

St Patrick's also hosts 40 Hours' Devotion in the lead up to the event. 

Thursday 30th May 2024
5.45pm Solemn Mass of Exposition
9.00pm Rosary followed by Deposition

Friday 31st May 2024
8.15am Holy Mass (New rite Latin)
12.30pm Low Mass (English)
6.00pm devotions and Sermon
9.00pm Rosary, followed by all-night vigil

Saturday 1st June 2024
8.15am Low Mass (New Rite Latin)
11.30am Rosary Meditation.
12.30pm Sung Mass for Peace
6.00pm Sung Vespers
9.00pm Rosary followed by Deposition

Sunday 2nd June 2024
11:00am Solemn Mass & Outdoor Procession with Archbishop Leo Cushley
5.30pm Solemn Vespers and Benediction

Archbishop Cushley - Thought for the Day

Archbishop Cushley reflects on the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which he attends in his role as in his role as Catholic Bishop President for Ecumenical Relations in Scotland.

Listen below or on YouTube.

Transcript

It’s that time of the year again and I find myself attending the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

The Kirk invites sister churches in Scotland to send an observer to attend, and I’ve been representing the Catholic Church there for the last eleven years.

That itself shows an openness of the Kirk in letting others see how they address issues and makes decisions.

The commissioners at the General Assembly, men and women, ministers and laity, represent the whole Church for a certain limited amount of time, and they vote on all matters relating to the life of the Church.

They’re elected to serve for a short period of time, and even the Moderator, famously, only serves for one year – and a shout out to the new Moderator, Dr Shaw Paterson for his warm welcome the other day - but although the Assembly’s membership changes regularly, there are two things that never seem to change, and I mean that in a good way.

I have never attended a session – even with royalty present – when there wasn’t warmth, humour, and laughter.

The first is perhaps the nation’s best kept secret.  The ministers and people who make up the Church of Scotland have a great sense of humour.

They can laugh at themselves, and they can take a joke.  I have never attended a session – even with royalty present – when there wasn’t warmth, humour, and laughter.

The reputation for dour sobriety couldn’t be further from the truth.

The second is that the people there regularly let me see a sense of duty towards the whole nation.

An openness and sense of service that is not always noticed by the rest of us. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, it seems to me that the Kirk tries to make itself available to everyone in Scotland.

It has been the principal Christian presence in the country for nearly five centuries now, but that’s not just a bit of history; it’s about pastoral care and practical action at the service of everyone in the country.

My friends at the General Assembly deserve a pat on the back for their concern for us all, and for doing it with a smile.  Have a good one!

Thought for the Day was broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland on Tuesday 21 May 2024.

Mass for Married & Engaged Couples

The annual Mass for Married and Engaged Couples is at 7:15pm on Wednesday 29 May 2024 at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh.

The principal celebrant will be Archbishop Leo Cushley.

Come and celebrate the gift of marriage, renew your commitment and receive God's blessing upon your love.

Refreshment after Mass in Coffee Saints Cafe.

(Main image: pics from the 2023 event).

Laudato Si' Week: 19-26 May

Laudato Si' week runs from the 19- 26 May with the theme Seeds of Hope.

It began as a way to celebrate the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ papal encyclical letter, Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home.

Since then, the annual celebration has become a way for all Catholics to unite and rejoice in the progress made in bringing Laudato Si’ to life and to commit ourselves to further prayer and action for our common home.

This Laudato Si’ Week website states: "Let us be seeds of hope in our lives and our world, rooted in faith and love."

Laudate Deum, the 2023 apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis, is a reminder about the urgency of the Laudato Si’ message.

A webinar titled 'Imagining a Christian Response to the Climate Crisis', organised by Laudato Si´Animators Scotland, takes place at 7.00-8.30pm on Thursday 23 May. Register here.

Find out more and download the celebration guide at laudatosiweek.org.