With a gradual return to public Masses, various parishes continue to stream services online, however, some times may change. Please check with the individual parishes.
Online Morning and Evening prayer will continue to be broadcast each day.
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In order to help people troubled by this question to settle their consciences, three public statements are laid out here.
They are not of themselves statements on the medical efficacy of these vaccines. This is a matter where we follow the judgment of competent health professionals. The statements address rather wider questions, e.g. concerning their sourcing, degree of obligation and availability. Continue reading
The Church in Scotland is now inviting enquiries from those considering applying for seminary. Continue reading
Following the death of Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop Hugh Gilbert has issued the following statement: Continue reading
Today we remember the Baptism of the Lord. It’s an event that moves the imagination. We can picture Jesus making the journey from Nazareth south east to the Jordan valley, then standing in the crowd listening to John, joining the queue of those lining up for baptism. John recognises him. He’s taken aback. He hesitates. Jesus insists. The rite is performed. Into the river and under the water he goes. And then comes up. And something happens. Three things says St Mark: the sky is torn open, the Spirit appears in the form of a dove, and a voice speaks to Jesus: “You are my Son, the Beloved.” Who saw and heard this we don’t fully know. Jesus, yes; John yes; perhaps some others. This is often how these things are: visible and invisible, inner and outer, factual and mysterious at the same time. In any case, it was an epiphany: a manifestation, a disclosure of who Jesus is. And it marked the beginning of his public life. He did not go home to Nazareth and carpentry. Continue reading
Following the First Minister’s statement that all places of worship will close until Monday 1 February 2021, Scotland’s Catholic Bishops have issued the following statement:
“Recognising the dangers posed by the new faster-spreading variant of COVID-19, we note the Scottish Government’s decision to close all places of worship. Continue reading
“The riches of the sea will flow to you, the wealth of the nations come to you.”
The word “Epiphany” means manifestation. Something hitherto invisible becomes visible, something previously hidden shines out. There’s splendour around, “the glory of the Lord”. And it evokes a response. Continue reading
“The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory” – from the Gospel of John just proclaimed. Continue reading
We are all very busy preparing for Christmas: there’s an obvious statement! And those preparation are now in disarray. Life is complicated. From the 26th of this month, mainland Scotland will move into Tier 4. The good news is that our churches will remain open. The bad news is that Mass attendance will be reduced to 20. And this will be so for at least three weeks. After that, we don’t know. Continue reading
The Solemnity of the Epiphany is traditionally a Day of Prayer for Peace. A pastoral letter has been written by Bishop William Nolan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Justice and Peace Commission. Continue reading
In a National Pastoral Letter to Scotland’s Catholic community, the Catholic Bishops of Scotland have highlighted “reasons for hope, as we live through these difficult times”. The document, suggests society has begun to rediscover universal human dignity, pointing out that when citizens were asked “to make difficult and prolonged sacrifices for the sake of the most vulnerable and they willingly responded.” The letter describes this genuine concern for the vulnerable as “obvious and beautiful”. Continue reading