Scotland Demands Better

Justice & Peace Scotland stands alongside The Poverty Alliance, The Church of Scotland, The Scottish Episcopal Church and over 200 organisations and faith groups for the Scotland Demands Better March in Edinburgh.

A spokesperson said: "We are uniting on Saturday 25 October to call for fair jobs and wages; decent social security; investment in essentials so that every household can thrive.

"We know that the challenges facing our communities – poverty, low pay, homelessness, lack of resources – are leaving many frustrated and angry. We also know a better way is possible: one that rejects division and the scapegoating of minority groups and instead is rooted in solidarity and hope.

"The march will set off from the Scottish Parliament at 11:00am, travel up the Royal Mile to The Meadows, and conclude with a family-friendly rally of music, speeches, and community spirit

"Look out for the J&P Scotland banner and placards at the meeting point - bring your family, bring your friends, and let's demand better for Scotland.

Meet at the visitors' entrance at the Scottish Parliament Horse Wynd, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP.

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.”

Archbishop on dangers of Assisted Suicide

Archbishop Leo Cushley visited the Scottish Parliament to highlight the dangers to vulnerable people of legalising assisted suicide.

He met with MSPs from the three largest parties yesterday ahead of a Spring vote on the Assisted Dying (Terminally Ill Adults) Bill.

All 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament are being given a special scroll which highlights heartbreaking cases where vulnerable people have either died as a result of an assisted death or have been offered it instead of care, including

Archbishop Cushley said: “I was pleased to meet MSPs from different parties who are very concerned about the Assisted Dying Bill.

“There are arguments in favour of choice, and in a democracy we have to consider them. But more importantly we must have a special concern for the poorest and the weakest in our society.

Archbishop Cushley and Paul Atkin, Pro-Life Officer for the Archdiocese, with a promotional copy of the scroll.

“In other countries where this has taken place, they are the ones to suffer, they have been the ones who have died as a result of this.”

Mark Griffin, Labour MSP for Central Region, said: “The proponents of legislation talk about ‘a choice’, but I have a real concern that a choice becomes an obligation.

“People may feel that they are a burden on society or their families, when that couldn’t be further from the truth; people want to look out for their family, they want to look out for their loved ones, and any kind of societal change that flips that perception needs to be avoided at all costs. That’s a real danger in this legislation.

“There are no safeguards strong enough to protect the most vulnerable in society. This Bill will put them at risk.”

This article reproduced with kind permission from the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office. See the scroll here. The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has strongly opposed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, urging UK Parliamentarians to abandon it in a submission to Bill’s Committee.

WATCH: Fr Gerard highlights role of St Patrick's

Fr Gerard Hatton was invited to give the Time for Reflection at The Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.

He highlighting the role of St Patrick's Church, Edinburgh, summarising how all churches provide a place of peace and prayer. Watch below or on YouTube.

St Patrick's celebrates its 250th anniversary this year with Solemn Vespers (the evening prayer of the Church) at 6:00pm on Wednesday 9 October.

Archbishop joins MSPs for Ash Wednesday at Holyrood

MSPs and parliament staff attended an Ash Wednesday service at Holyrood today, led by Archbishop Leo Cushley.

In his homily, he said: "As Christians, Jesus does not ask us to be relevant or important in the life of the nation. He asks us to be His faithful disciples.

"Jesus said: 'Repent and believe in the Gospel' - that's what we are doing here today.

"It falls on you to be His witness. If we get that right the rest will fall into place."

Marie McNair MSP was the reader at the service and received ashes along with fellow politicians Alex Rowley, Bob Doris, Mairi Gougeon, Michael Matheson, Clare Adamson, Monica Lennon, Mark Griffin, Paul Sweeney, Paul O'Kane, Pauline McNeill, Donald Cameron and Annie Wells.

Anthony Horan, Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, said: "It is a testament to the openness and diversity of our Parliament that Archbishop Leo was able to distribute ashes to MSPs on this solemn day for Catholics.

"This was the best attended Ash Wednesday service in the Parliament since the annual event was established in 2018.

I hope that the presence of the Archbishop and gathering together with other people of faith will offer comfort and support to our MSPs in the challenges of political life

"I hope that the presence of the Archbishop and gathering together with other people of faith will offer comfort and support to our MSPs in the challenges of political life, and that open expressions of faith will continue to be facilitated and supported by our parliament."

This year's event was organised by Archbishop Cushley and Anthony Horan with help from the office of Donald Cameron MSP.

Earlier in the day Archbishop Cushley was principal celebrant at the Ash Wednesday morning Mass at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh.

 

Catholics urged to help prevent assisted suicide in Scotland

Catholics are being urged to sign a national petition to stop plans to legalise assisted suicide in Scotland.

Care Not Killing (CNK), supported by the Catholic Parliamentary Office, has launched the petition to show how strong the level of resistance is in Scotland against Liam McArthur MSP's proposed assisted suicide Bill.

The bill risks undermining the provision of palliative care and undermining efforts to prevent suicide.

It will make the most vulnerable people, including the elderly and disabled, feel like a burden and its safeguards will prove futile.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: “As Catholics we must reject assisted suicide and encourage rather the enhanced provision of palliative care for the elderly, the disabled, and the vulnerable who are such a precious part of our society."

Not safe

Anthony Horan, Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, said: “There is no such thing as a ‘safe’ law which allows assisted suicide. So-called ‘safeguards’ will be stripped away, and the law expanded to include an increasing number of vulnerable people.

"Evidence from other countries shows us that those who suffer from mental ill health, the disabled, and even children, are not safe. The current law is the safeguard. We should be caring for people, not killing them.”

Parishes are invited to hold a Petition Day on a Sunday during October to promote the petition and gather as many signatures as possible.

Catholic Church urges MSPs: 'Care don't kill'

Scottish politicians are being urged to care for the terminally ill instead of allowing them to be killed following moves at Holyrood to legalise assisted dying.

A proposed Members' Bill by Orkney MSP Liam McArthur would "enable competent adults who are terminally ill to be provided at their request with assistance to end their life".

Anthony Horan, Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office said: “Liam McArthur's final proposal for a bill on assisted suicide is frankly dangerous."

Burden

He added: "It risks undermining the provision of palliative care and undermining efforts to prevent suicide it will make the most vulnerable people, including the elderly and disabled, feel like a burden and its safeguards will prove futile.

"The current law is the safeguard. We should be caring for people, not killing them.”

“It is understandable that most people responding to the consultation supported the idea of a dignified death – we all do, but killing someone who is ill, is never dignified.

"The fact that a letter signed by 175 health care professionals from a variety of specialities has already outlined numerous concerns, highlights how dangerous this proposal is.

"The Catholic church would urge Scottish politicians to learn of the dangers that have already been seen abroad, particularly intolerable pressure on the vulnerable, disabled or elderly to end their lives prematurely.”

View the Proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill here.