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Comment and debate on faith issues in Scotland February/March 2021
www.openhousescotland.co.uk Issue No 292
£2.50
Lent 2021 with SCIAF: Fratelli Tutti: response to Choosing a new bishop:
in solidarity with the poorest criticism from senior cleric a complicated process
Editorial
Critique of Fratelli Tutti
A critique of Pope Francis’ widely acclaimed encyclical, Aires, but now his pronouncements belong to the pastoral
Fratelli Tutti, by one of the most senior priests in the seat of the bishop of Rome. The problem is not that he is
Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, has caused not a theologian, but rather that his theology is pastoral.
widespread concern among Catholics in Scotland. What really bothers his detractors, Codina suggests, is
Monsignor Patrick Burke, who is Vicar General of the that it stems from reality: the reality of injustice, poverty
archdiocese, wrote an article on Fratelli Tutti in the and the destruction of nature, and the reality of ecclesial
January/February issue of the magazine of the Faith clericalism.
Movement (www.faith.org.uk/magazine). In it he argues In terms of socio-political criticism, Codina points out
that the ‘subjective frame of reference’ used by the pope in that Pope Francis’ messages are in continuity with
his encyclical means that his reflections are ‘more his own prophetic biblical teaching and the social teaching of the
individual views than an act of magisterial teaching’. The church. What hurts some people, he suggests, is their
Tablet responded with an online article in which papal prophetic clarity: the Pope says no to an economy of
biographer Austen Ivereigh and theologian Massimo exclusion and inequality, no to an economy that kills, no
Faggioli challenged Mgr Burke’s analysis. Faggioli argued to an unjust social and economic system that locks us into
that his critique ignores the role that the parable of the unjust social structures.
Good Samaritan plays in the encyclical, which is to Opposition to Pope Francis, Codina argues, is in reality
provide its theological foundation. opposition to the Second Vatican Council. Francis speaks
Writing in America magazine in 2019, theology of the church as an inverted pyramid, as polyhedral, and
professor Victor Codina SJ discusses the theological above all as synodal, which means as we travel the same
background to opposition to Pope Francis within the path together we should listen to one another, as priests,
church. Those who oppose Francis on theological people and pope. Pope Francis belongs to a long line of
grounds, he suggests, do so from the conviction that his prophets who have wanted to reform the church, from his
lack of theological professionalism - in contrast to that of namesake Francis of Assisi to Angelo Roncalli.
Popes John Paul II and Benedict - explains what they
consider to be his inaccuracies and even doctrinal errors. See pp 5-7 for a response to Mgr Burke’s article by Dr
Codina points out that Francis studied and taught Mary Stevens, and a reflection by Fr Noel Colford on the
pastoral theology as Jorge Mario Bergoglio SJ in Buenos parable of the Good Samaritan.
Sunday of the Word
Pope Francis was gently mocked for his recent the passage from the Gospel then that passes in a blur too.
pronouncement opening the order of Lector/Reader (and This is in contrast with other churches which, not having
Acolyte/Server) to women. It’s a long time since anyone communion, see the reading of the Word and the sermon as
would be surprised by a woman reading in church. The sacramental.
Pope was making a stronger claim than people being Pope Francis has made the Third Ordinary - near the
stopped on the way into Mass and being asked to ‘do the beginning of the year - the Sunday of the Word of God. It is
reading’. He was seeking some dignity to the task such as intended to jolt Catholics in general out of their lethargy
is, mostly, accorded to Ministers of the Eucharist. with respect to the Bible. They can all read nowadays so
When the Lectionary was introduced into the Mass after
there is no reason why they shouldn’t be aware of which
Vatican II it was done as part of ‘business as usual’. One
Gospel and what part thereof they are going to hear when
week the old readings were used, the next week the new
they go to Mass. And even perhaps to check out any Old
ones were read. Although the Lectionary is a magnificent
Testament reference.
achievement (now imitated by other churches) it was over
the heads of average Catholics. Fifty years later, you only The ‘People of the Book’ is a reference in the Quran to
have to ask a regular Sunday Mass-goer which gospel is Jews and Christians. During the current pandemic when
being followed that year to be met by a blank stare. Mass is online, some Catholics are appreciating that title.
For Catholics, going to Mass is going to Communion. In which case there will be no going back to what was
The bit before, the readings, are an endurance test. The first ‘normal’. Catholics will be better versed in the Bible than
reading, usually from the Old Testament and supposedly previously, and be more comfortable with other Christians.
connected to the gospel, is often incomprehensible. And And when they get back to Mass they will appreciate more
unless the priest or deacon has prepared an explanation of the first half of the Eucharist.
2 OPEN HOUSE February 2021
Contents International development
Duncan MacLaren reflects on this year’s SCIAF Lent
campaign and its approach to development.
Page 3 SCIAF’s mission
Page 5
Duncan MacLaren
A very personal interpretation SCIAF’S mission
Mary Stevens
Page 6 Return to the source As we mourn the untimely death 11th May, but because of SCIAF’s
Noel Colford of Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, we adherence to Integral Human
Page 7 How good was your remember, as Lent approaches, the Development (IHD). This is a
Catholic school? way he spoke movingly of SCIAF’s form of development, emerging
Mark Wilson mission in his homily during the out of the Catholic Social Justice
Page 9 Learning from lockdown special Mass last November to Tradition, which brings real,
Stephen McKinney, Stuart bring to mind those who had durable, sustained change into
Hall & Kevin Louden supported SCIAF and were now the lives of the poorest, enhances
Page 11 A suitable candidate with God. He said: their dignity and gives them the
Helen Costigane ‘The mission of SCIAF, born from confidence and means not just
and sustained by the love of Jesus to cope but to flourish as active
Page 13 The way we were
Christ, is to seek to lift people participants in their own societies.
Joe Fitzpatrick
across the world out of poverty and The programme the SCIAF team
Page 14 Medieval Glasgow to help them to achieve the change is focusing on this year is in South
Gerry Carruthers that is necessary for families, Sudan, the newest independent
Page 15 Inspiring women communities and nations to live nation on earth, one of the poorest
Mégan Buhrmann and to prosper according to their and wracked by conflict. In the
Notebook human dignity, in peace and in UN’s 2020 Human Development
justice’. Index, it is fourth from the bottom.
Page 17 Letters
The Archbishop summed up
Page 19 Reviews: books, film, music well the mission of SCIAF: born
Page 22 Obituaries out of scripture and the Church’s
Page 24 Moments in Time teaching and praxis throughout the
ages, its mission is to lift people
Children who are disabled
out of a poverty that diminishes are, in the words of Pope
them as human beings created in Francis, the ‘abandoned…
the divine image; and to achieve those considered disposable
transformation so that they can live because they are only
in peace and justice and flourish
considered as part of
Thank you to all those who according to their human dignity,
contributed to this edition of possessing agency over their own a statistic’
Open House. lives.
Open House, which was founded in Just as the pandemic reduced the
Dundee in 1990, is an independent effect of SCIAF’s Lenten Campaign The project will be run by
journal of comment and debate on last year, in terms of awareness- a trusted Sudanese partner
faith issues in Scotland. It is rooted raising and funds, so the same is organisation which will work
in the reforms of the Second Vatican most likely about to happen this with 400 disabled children, their
Council (1962-65) and committed year. I want to suggest why readers communities and schools, in the
to the dialogue which began at the
and their families and colleagues region of Western Equatoria. This
Council - within the Catholic
should support SCIAF even more is an area where there is food
Church, in other churches, and with
all those committed to issues of enthusiastically this Lent. insecurity, an illiteracy rate of 67
justice and peace. per cent and school enrolment is
Integral human only 56 per cent of the total school-
www.openhousescotland.co.uk
development age population - and now there is
Cover photo by kind permission The reason is not just because the COVID. Children who are disabled
of SCIAF UK Government will double the are, in the words of Pope Francis,
income supporters contribute to the ‘abandoned… those considered
SCIAF between 12th February and disposable because they are only
February 2021 OPEN HOUSE 3
considered as part of a statistic’, for schools, parishes, groups and
children who lead hidden and individuals - and for those parents
impoverished lives. And, in South teaching their children from home
Sudan, children who suffer great during pandemic times.
stigma and discrimination. Integral Human Development
Tackling a problem with such empowers the local people to say
multifaceted elements calls for how they wish the development
following the IHD framework. programme to shape and
It takes into account all aspects transform their lives. SCIAF’s
of human life, including the role is more that of a facilitator,
spiritual and cultural; and all the a friend acting out of solidarity.
stakeholders, including elites who In the SCIAF materials, you will
may not want, for example, girls not find a group of happy South
to be educated. This is a good Sudanese with a ‘white saviour’
example of a programme which, in in the middle. You will not find
the words of the UN’s Sustainable pictures which demean in any
Development Goals, ‘leaves no way the people or display them
one behind’. In South Sudan, a as passive objects to prick our
generation of disabled children who uninformed consciences. Even the
are locked out of education and cameraman/photographer is from
trapped in a cycle of poverty have South Sudan. Achuoth Deng has
now been put at the top of SCIAF’s brought out the determination, takes time and resources, but the
agenda. ability and courage of disabled result is to be found in sustainable
people, their friends and families, programmes which work for the
in his beautiful images of his fellow whole community, especially those
countrywomen and men. He gently
who are left most behind, and where
holds all his subjects in frames of
Integral Human the people feel fulfilled.
dignity and joy at the ‘lifting of
And where the smiles of bettered
Development empowers the suffering’.
It has been said of SCIAF’s lives are genuine.
local people to say how they This Lent, learn assiduously to
work that it is too complex and
wish the development its message is not simple, as in change, pray with gritty intention,
programme to shape and feeding children, or allowing and give as you’ve never given
transform their lives. Westerners to get on with the job before.
of eradicating poverty. Those are
strategies which Pope Emeritus
Benedict XVI describes as charity Dr Duncan MacLaren was SCIAF’s
degenerating into sentimentality, not
Raising awareness transformation. SCIAF recognises
first Director and worked for the
agency for thirteen years before
The Lenten Campaign is about that, if you are intervening in the
raising the necessary funds but being called to the Vatican as
lives of some of the poorest people
even more about raising people’s Director of Programmes of Caritas
in the world, you are entering a
awareness of the plight of others, complex reality with all sorts of Internationalis. He was then elected
an awareness which grows to make facets. You are entering a sacred as Secretary General of the global
space for empathy. SCIAF provides zone, the life of another person who Confederation of 165 Catholic
an abundance of materials to has a family, a community, a culture humanitarian, development and social
introduce the children and their lives and a belief system which must be service agencies. He served on the
through images and information held in esteem. Dealing with all this SCIAF Board from 2014 until 2020.
THANK YOU
Thank you to all our contributors to this edition and
throughout the year.
4 OPEN HOUSE February 2021
Fratelli Tutti
MARY STEVENS takes issue with an article on Pope Francis’ latest encyclical by a senior
Scottish priest.
A very personal interpretation
The January-February edition of Church and of human insight. Pope is listening to other voices outside
Faith Magazine, the journal of the Francis has listened to many people, the Catholic Church, has apparently
Faith Movement, published an from bishops to victims of abuse, failed to notice the unequivocal
article by Monsignor Patrick Burke, from imams to secular thinkers and statements scattered through the
Vicar General of the Archdiocese Catholic traditions, and above all to text which demonstrate clearly that
of St Andrews and Edinburgh. The the Gospel and to the Spirit in prayer. while the Pope is listening to all and
article considers the papal encyclical It is widely, if not unanimously, addressing all, his vision is entirely
Fratelli Tutti of Pope Francis. Many accepted that the world is currently rooted in the fundamental and
of those reading this article have been going through a time of crisis, and specifically Christian revelation of
left confused, and it is my intention this is the Pope’s address within that redemption in Christ. The encyclical
to address some issues which may crisis. does have a pastoral, apostolic
contribute to this confusion. It would Mgr Burke states that the Pope’s and missionary tone of outreach,
be impossible to respond fully in this principal concern is that ‘rapid engendered within the interior love
short piece. economic globalisation and of the Trinity. One example suffices
The article carries the title A Very ubiquitous digital communication, of the bedrock on which the whole is
Personal Letter and Mgr Burke begins far from making the world more built:
by claiming that in this encyclical integrated and harmonious are ‘We likewise believe that Christ
the Pope is making no claim to resulting in greater inequalities, shed his blood for each of us and
authoritative teaching and that its international conflict, and that no one is beyond the scope of his
contents are not an act of magisterial interpersonal alienation’. The Pope universal love. If we go to the ultimate
teaching. He thus clears the way himself writes: source of that love which is the very
for a reception of the text which
‘I offer this social Encyclical as a life of the triune God, we encounter
leaves freedom to have fundamental
modest contribution to continued in the community of the three divine
disagreements with the author, now
reflection, in the hope that in the Persons the origin and perfect model of
seen as a private individual, and thus
face of present-day attempts to all life in society. Theology continues
obviate the necessity to work with the
eliminate or ignore others, we may to be enriched by its reflection on this
text in the teaching and practice of the
prove capable of responding with a great truth’ (para 85).
church. This is the first and essential
new vision of fraternity and social The encyclical calls repeatedly for
problem with the article in question.
friendship that will not remain at the communication and respect.
Fratelli Tutti is an encyclical: this
level of words. … It is my desire that, ‘Today, in many countries,
is not open to denial. The proofs
in this our time, by acknowledging the hyperbole, extremism and
that Mgr Burke raises to disallow
dignity of each human person, we can polarization have become political
its authority and status are unable
to alter this simple fact and they are contribute to the rebirth of a universal tools. Employing a strategy of
false. At least since the time of Pope aspiration to fraternity’ (para 6). ridicule, suspicion and relentless
Pius XII, the Catholic Church has The stimuli behind the Pope’s desire criticism, in a variety of ways one
taught that an encyclical is part of to write about universal fraternity denies the right of others to exist or to
the pope’s ordinary magisterium. The include war, aggressive nationalism, have an opinion’ (para 15).
authority of an encyclical stems from selfishness, loss of social sense, a Mgr Burke quotes from the second
the papal office, not from those to global economy which imposes sentence above. Curiously, at this
whom it is addressed nor the sources a single cultural model on the point, he makes the comment that
of the thought or quotations in the world, division, loss of the sense many of those who have been on
text. of history, the Covid-19 pandemic, the receiving end of fierce criticism
new cultural colonisation, the ‘for such sins as “clericalism”’ might
A social encyclical distortion of democracy, freedom raise an eyebrow while reading the
Fratelli Tutti is a social encyclical: that and justice, survival of the rich and Pope’s words. Mgr Burke appears to
is to say that at a particular time and strong, the prevalence of poverty and be creating a parallel between those
circumstance it seeks to apply both powerlessness. He is driven by the experiencing criticism of clericalism
the teaching and wisdom of scripture, urgency of profound crises of social and those being destroyed by abusive
revelation, and reason to social and individual humans lives. governments and dysfunctional public
structures and situations, offering discourse, which destroys inalienable
ways to enlighten, understand and Rooted in revelation human rights.
progress justice and human dignity Mgr Burke, while he sees the breadth This is quite extraordinary and truly
in an evolving society, in keeping of the vision of crisis which the Pope out of kilter with both the mind of
with the treasure of wisdom of the is painting and hears that the Pope the Pope, the experience of very many
February 2021 OPEN HOUSE 5
Fratelli Tutti
members of the church and of those NOEL COLFORD coffers a reflection on the spirit of
suffering from the real evils described
the Gospel at the heart of Pope Francis’s encyclical.
in Fratelli Tutti. There is commonality
between the different sets of experiences
in that there is abuse of power,
selfishness and disdain for others in
both corrupt government, dysfunctional
Return to the source
society and in clericalism - but not in the
criticism of clericalism. Pope Francis has Pope Francis declared in his The answer lies in the word that is
spoken repeatedly of the evil clericalism. prayer intention for January, not said, but should be said.
Writing to the priests of Latin America in ‘We believers must return to our The lawyer is asked to choose
2016, he says that clericalism
sources …. for us Christians the between the priest, the Levite
‘arises from an elitist and exclusivist wellspring of human dignity and and the Samaritan. He should
vision of vocation, that interprets the fraternity is the Gospel of Jesus.’ obviously answer ‘the Samaritan’,
ministry received as a power to be This is precisely what he himself but he doesn’t. The Samaritans
exercised rather than as a free and has done in his encyclical Fratelli were traditional enemies of the
generous service to be given. This Tutti and he has succeeded in Jews, hated and despised. The
leads us to believe that we belong to a capturing the true spirit of the lawyer cannot bring himself to say
group that has all the answers and no Gospel. Fratelli Tutti is built on that the Samaritan was a better
longer needs to listen or learn anything. the premise that ‘God created person than a Jewish priest. His
Clericalism is a perversion and is the all human beings equal in rights, prejudice chokes him. Jesus is not
root of many evils in the Church: we duties and dignity, and called them just saying that the neighbour we
must humbly ask forgiveness for this and to live together as brothers and are called to love is every human
above all create the conditions so that it sisters, to fill the earth and make person, whatever their race,
is not repeated’. known the values of goodness, religion or background - he is
In Fratelli Tutti we read: love and peace’. teaching what it means to love. It
‘Saint Paul, recognizing the temptation Pope Francis says that faith is not simply to have compassion
of the earliest Christian communities to has untold power to inspire and and care for others, it is to respect
form closed and isolated groups, urged sustain our respect for others, for them. The Samaritan, the despised
his disciples to abound in love “for one believers come to know that God foreigner, is the good person,
another and for all”’ (1 Thess 3:12)’ loves every man and woman with worthy of respect and admiration.
(para 62). infinite love and ‘thereby confers Pope Francis insists that real
It is this abounding love ‘for all’ which infinite dignity’ on all humanity. love involves respect and esteem
prompts the Pope to draw a broad He expresses very beautifully what for others. Compassion without
picture of ‘the dark clouds over a closed it means to love when he says respect becomes pity, and
world’ and to urge a new way forward. that kindness is an attitude that is patronising pity arouses anger
‘For all our hyper-connectivity, we gentle, pleasant and supportive; it rather than gratitude. When
witnessed a fragmentation that made it speaks words of comfort, strength, we come to the parable of the
more difficult to resolve problems that consolation and encouragement Prodigal Son the question that
affect us all. Anyone who thinks that and it entails esteem and respect arises is, ‘Why does Jesus not
the only lesson to be learned was the for others. He stresses that love finish the story? Why doesn’t he
need to improve what we were already values others, and so is open to tell us how the elder son responds
doing, or to refine existing systems and dialogue and cooperation. to his father’s appeal?’
regulations, is denying reality’ (para 7). These ideas may not be expressed The answer is surely that Jesus
explicitly in the Gospels but cannot finish the story - only his
Many of us, who are not baptised
they are implied in the two great listeners can. They are the elder
to live in closed and isolated groups,
parables of St. Luke’s Gospel, the son. They are complaining like
would resonate in hope, joy, courage and
Good Samaritan and the Prodigal the elder son that Jesus welcomes
enthusiasm with the encyclical Fratelli
Son. It is only when we don’t sinners. Jesus is appealing to them.
Tutti, were it grasped by our pastors and
understand these parables that we How will they respond? When
put to work in our midst. I therefore
can fully understand them, and we the elder son refers to the younger
sincerely hope that Mgr Burke himself is
writing as a private individual and not as
can only appreciate what is said not as his brother but ‘this son of
a prelate, vicar general of a metropolitan when we notice what is not said. yours’, he is not only rejecting his
archdiocese, called by his Pope and ours The parable of the Good brother but his father as well. His
to be sisters and brothers to one another. Samaritan is told to answer the self righteous indignation masks
question, who is the neighbour I a deep resentment against both of
Dr Mary Stevens is an Honorary Fellow am called to love? But the story is them.
in Divinity at the University of St about who gives love rather than The father forgives the prodigal
Andrews. who receives love. Why is that? because he loves him. He rejoices
6 OPEN HOUSE February 2021
Education
at his repentance. The elder son has no MARK WILSON looks back on 40 years as an
real love either for his brother or his educational psychologist.
father; yet his father loves him too. He
goes out humbly to plead with him.
He addresses him tenderly as his child.
He assures him of his position. The
father treats both his sinful sons, the
How good was your
repentant and the unrepentant, with
extraordinary respect. He actually
honours the prodigal for his courage
Catholic school?
and humility and he commends the
faithful service of the elder son.
Jesus is teaching that God is our
I would like to share experiences School A
of the ‘informal curriculum’ in This large school had a wide
Father who loves all of us as his
Catholic schools - the things that
children. Even when we fail him and catchment area including city
children and staff learn from the
turn against him, he still cares for us children and pupils from a large
ethos and what goes on outside
and longs for our repentance. In his town and surrounding villages.
love he is ready and anxious to forgive. the classroom.
When the school leaving age
If we appreciate the beauty of his love What are the events that inspire
was raised to 16 in the 1970’s,
for us, we will not only trust in his goodness and make for a good
an extension was added, so
love and forgiveness, but see his other education? What builds a sense
that a new curriculum could
children as our brothers and sisters of belonging to a community that
cares? What practices might have be expanded. The school
and be eager to love and forgive as we
been part of our own schooling, management team and guidance
are loved and forgiven.
and are rightly assigned to the teachers were kind and committed
Jesus himself is reaching out in love
past? to doing their best for the
to his arrogant opponents. Perhaps
they will see themselves in the elder I have just retired after 40 years children. I quickly felt we could
son. Perhaps their own hard hearts as an educational psychologist. I work well together.
will be touched by the beauty of the became a Catholic in the 1980’s, I recently found notes from
father’s love and the respect Jesus is at the start of my career. I saw a meeting in 1985 from a
showing them. His most beautiful parishes and schools making ‘community connections’
parables are told to his enemies with adjustments to the Second Vatican working party. Led by a Quaker
respect and without accusation. They Council, and finding a new vision friend who was a community
too can see and change. for their role in a modern world. development worker, the agenda
Pope Francis insists that our love Corporal punishment was started with an item on ‘How
must extend to the wayward and abolished in Strathclyde Region in might we teach caring?’ These
the wrongdoer, both repentant and 1981/82. I remember a Catholic meetings led to opportunities for
unrepentant. His teaching that we Secondary in the late 70s being school children to participate in
should see all people as our brothers described as a ‘very violent local groups for elderly citizens.
and sisters, children of the one loving school with very violent children
Father, needing our care, respect and and very violent teachers’. No-
forgiveness, expresses the heart of
one would say that about a
the Gospel. At the beginning of the ... a very vulnerable boy
Scottish school today. Children
encyclical he declares, ‘It is my desire, used to eat his lunch every
may still live in violent homes
in this time, by acknowledging the
or violent neighbourhoods, but day with that teacher, to help
dignity of each human person, we can
contribute to the rebirth of a universal
school communities can be real him stay out of trouble. In
aspiration to fraternity. Fraternity is in
sanctuaries for children. Many the week that the teacher had
all men and women.’ things were starting to change in a heart attack, the boy set the
His appeal is addressed to all people. the 1980s. school alight.
Christians and non-Christians alike I will highlight my experience
can see the beauty and feel the power by writing of two secondary
of his message. schools with different cultures,
over 30 years ago. The accounts There had been a fire at the
Noel Colford is parish priest of Holy are fictional, but every memory is school. A teacher told me he
Cross, Arran. based on real experience. carried a feeling of guilt for that
February 2021 OPEN HOUSE 7
fire. It had been started by a pupil Puebla, and the church’s concern
- a very vulnerable boy who used about the impact of poverty on Some pupils, of course,
to eat his lunch every day with that children ‘born in the image of wanted to be sent home, and
teacher, to help him stay out of God’. Strathclyde Regional Council
trouble. In the week that the teacher published similar sentiments in its
learned that this could be
had a heart attack, the boy set the ‘Social Strategy for the Eighties’. arranged easily by throwing
school alight. There were real pressures facing chips in the dining hall.
School exclusion (temporary children at the school, and staff who
suspension for a few days or weeks) were trying to provide support. But an event repeated again and again. I
was a fairly significant feature of there was a culture which valued saw children and families developing
schools in the early 1980’s, but I relationships with all the children a real sense that they did not fit at
remember real efforts at the school and their families, and those of us in the school. Some pupils, of course,
to deal with mistakes constructively. other agencies. Together, I think we wanted to be sent home, and learned
An education officer asked me for found signs of hope. that this could be arranged easily by
a report on a boy who was out of throwing chips in the dining hall.
School B
school as a result of police charges. This was especially true in the most
The school secretary told me she School B used to be the senior
disadvantaged part of the catchment
lived near him and worried about secondary school for its community.
area, which historically had weak
his whole family. She had bought In the 1970’s it became a
connections with the school as few
him food when she saw him looking comprehensive. It had built a fine
children had passed the ‘qualy’ exam
hungry. School and social work reputation as a school that would
to get to senior secondary.
planned together so that he could be open up significant opportunities for
I recall a tradition which seemed to
reintegrated. Catholic children to become part of
be particularly resistant to change. If
I remember a first-year girl who the middle classes. Legends abounded
I visited after lunch, I would see a line
would now be described as a ‘young about the head teacher visiting local
of boys waiting to meet senior staff.
carer’. She had been suspended after employers to ensure they were not
They had been fighting with boys
repeatedly punching a teacher, whilst discriminating against his pupils.
from a nearby non-denominational
in a flood of tears. Her mother had The school continued to have a
school. This caused a lot of
failed to bring her to appointments strong reputation in its community, frustration. Generations of boys had
to discuss her return. I visited and I remember teachers who were maintained the habit and the wounds
them at home and brought them passionate about their subject. The that resulted. I remember a member
to school. The mother was injured, management team was entirely male, of staff mocking the behaviour as
walking with a stick, and the girl as were all the guidance teachers. ‘defending the faith’.
was embarrassed by her mother’s There were some female principal In the West of Scotland, many
appearance. But the depute head teachers. One was doing sector- Catholics entered the social work
welcomed them with such kindness, leading work with dyslexic children. profession. I remember a social
and led then through a most amazing Another was described by a senior worker telling me of her efforts to
discussion about the stresses the manager as the way every female build partnerships with the school,
girl was under, and the variety of teacher should be: totally committed to support a boy who was returning
supports they could put in place. to her vocation, and unmarried! after a long absence. A time had
I saw this as a school’s version of But many members of staff been agreed for her to take him to
reconciliation. Now such ‘restorative remembered a time when standards the school to plan his return. She
approaches’ are quite common in in the school had been much higher. was advised that she didn’t need to
schools. Some voiced real pain about the bother bringing his mother. When
Business in the Backyard (1985) impact of government policy. Senior they arrived she heard the most
was a theatre production by the staff were trying to hold fast to magnificent singing. She asked at the
Wildcat Theatre Company. School traditions of authority and discipline, office about what was happening -
staff arranged a night out to see but the children and their families had the choir was preparing for Easter.
it. It used music and drama to a wider range of needs, presenting After a lengthy wait, office staff
explore poverty and violence in issues that needed patience and care advised them they would have to
Central America, and the influence as well as challenge. come back another day. I recall
of liberation theology in local When ‘the belt’ was banned, many a suggestion that this school had
communities. I had been reading children were excluded from school. too much religion and not enough
about the 1979 conference of Latin For some, this was an effective Christianity.
American Catholic bishops in warning, but for many others it was I met teaching staff who cared,
8 OPEN HOUSE February 2021
Education
but I also heard conflicting ideas STEPHEN MCKINNEY, STUART HALL and KEVIN
about what might be beyond the
LOWDEN look at emerging evidence of the
remit of a teacher, and a sense of
alarm amongst staff who felt very implications of lockdown on children.
alone in their efforts to adjust. The
Learning from
local authority expected that schools
would involve outside agencies.
Some teachers welcomed this, while
lockdown
others saw it as an intrusion. I did
not share the belief that punishment
by exclusion was likely to lead to
a new level of cooperation. In my
mind we faced a challenge together,
to build approaches that would The latest lockdown measures relation to Covid-19.
support a child to learn to improve introduced in Scotland in January There has now been time to
their behaviour. But we were at a very 2021 in response to Covid-19 undertake research and reflect on
early stage of dialogue and learning to have had a major impact on the impact of the first lockdown
cooperate. the schooling of children and of 2020 and subsequent
Conclusion young people. Many schools restrictions on the education
have remained open, but only of young people. Education
Catholic schools have continued
for vulnerable children and Scotland has just published What
to develop systems of nurture and
the children of key workers. Scotland Learned: Building Back
pastoral care, and strengthened their
The majority of children have Better (January 2021). It draws
partnerships within and outwith the
moved to remote learning at on research and input from a
school. The Charter for Catholic
home, supported by their school, wide variety of stakeholders. It
Schools in Scotland now gives
parents/guardians and various is focussed on six key themes:
direction for the ethos of the Catholic
media (including the BBC). Relationships, Leadership, Health
school and the role it plays within its
This article looks at the and Wellbeing, Learning and
community.
implications of the latest Teaching, Communities and
My memories identify two different
lockdown for the learning of Successes and Achievements.
features of Catholic institutions.
School A looked to the future and children and young people, their The section on Learning and
strove towards an ethos of inclusion health and wellbeing, and the Teaching addresses some of the
as well as achievement. Staff were position of young carers. difficulties faced by teachers
committed to high levels of pastoral The Scottish Government has as schools closed down at very
care. In school B, I saw that new highlighted the detrimental short notice. There was little
expectations to meet the needs of effect of young people being out time to prepare for the move to
vulnerable children were often seen as of school during the lockdown online and remote teaching. The
a threat. in 2020, which affected their publication recognises the serious
I am left wondering if this divide is educational developmental challenges faced by parents who
still in evidence today. Covid presents and mental health. There struggled to balance working
new challenges to teachers, and all are particular concerns for at home with supporting the
who work with children. We have all educational outcomes for young education of young people. The
experienced an interruption to our people, and the mental health of lockdown highlighted some of the
comfort, and we know the need for adolescents, especially vulnerable pre-existing effects of inequality.
compassion. Covid and its restrictions young people. The Government Some young people did not have
have impacted more on some children has been anxious to keep schools access to equipment that would
than others. In recent years Pope open where possible because allow them to engage in online
Francis has suggested that the Church of serious anxieties about the learning, or the household could
could aspire to be like a ‘field hospital increase in educational and social not afford to pay for the internet.
after battle’. I have experienced inequalities caused by closures. There have also been some very
things in Catholic schools that fit that In the period leading up to useful insights into some of the
description of ‘field hospital’. How Christmas, there was an increase successes. Lessons can be learned
will we manage to ensure that love in school absences, mainly due from other parts of the world
and care is received by all today? to young people self-isolating in where radio, tv and even phone
February 2021 OPEN HOUSE 9
tutorials are used for education in in public and academic discourses on the demands of home learning with
the home, and have been used in education: young carers. caring and finding a quiet space to
previous pandemics. There have study. Many young carers had to
been successes in the move to online Young carers deal with the deteriorating mental
and remote learning. Many teachers A young carer is under 18, or health of the adult person(s) they
have been able to upskill with 18 and still at school, and has care for. Some young carers are more
considerable alacrity and efficiency, caring responsibilities for a family socially isolated and disadvantaged
often with the support of formal member or members, or a friend. than other young people and this
and informal networks. Many The Scottish government estimates has been intensified during school
young people have assumed greater that there are 44,000 young carers closures.
responsibility for their learning and in Scotland. Those cared for are There is much to be learned about
have become more autonomous likely to be ill, have a disability, a
the continuation of education
learners. mental health condition or suffer
and home learning for young
The mental and physical health from drug or alcohol addiction or
people during the period of the
and wellbeing of young people related health problems. The caring
pandemic. There are issues about
under lockdowns and restrictions can involve physical personal care,
the effectiveness of remote and
has become an increasing cause household chores and mental health
online learning and the equity of
for concern. The Scotland Youth support, and may involve caring for
the learning experience. There are
Parliament Survey of 2020 lists a younger siblings.
questions about the flexibility and
number of factors causing mental The Scottish government provides
a small annual grant for young agility of the teaching profession to
stress. These include worries about
the virus, the loss of connection carers, though notes that many adapt to new learning environments,
with extended family and friends, do not perceive their role as being and implications for the future
negotiating home life that is also that of a carer: it is a way of life. A education and preparation of
a learning environment, anxiety reduction in social services during teachers. A greater awareness of the
about public exams and about the the pandemic has created more extent of poverty and child poverty
future. Some young people who pressure on young carers to assume in Scotland has emerged as well as
had received support for mental further caring responsibilities. A the consequences of lockdowns and
health issues through the school survey conducted by Dr Blake- restrictions.
have experienced a reduction in the Holmes from the University of East Stephen McKinney is Professor
service. Anglia between April and June 2020 of Education in the School of
The lockdown and restrictions have demonstrated that many young Education, University of Glasgow.
exacerbated the daily challenges carers feel a strong sense that school Stuart Hall and Kevin Lowden
faced by disabled children, those provides a welcome routine and are Senior Research Fellows in the
with additional support needs, and respite from caring responsibilities. School of Education, University of
vulnerable children. It has also This has been disrupted by Glasgow.
created enormous difficulties for that lockdowns and school closures.
group of children and young people Some young carers felt higher levels A full list of references is available
who often receive limited attention of stress as they struggled to balance on request.
10 OPEN HOUSE February 2021Canon law
HELEN CONSTIGANE outlines the process for appointing a bishop, following the death of
Archbishop Tartaglia.
A suitable candidate
Some years ago, I accompanied morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, needs of the diocese. He will also
a group of postgraduate canon prudence and human virtues, and consult with other bishops in the
law students on a visit to Rome, possess those other gifts which equip ecclesiastical province1, the president
during which we visited several him to fulfil the office in question’. of the episcopal conference, and
departments of the Curia. Among This list of qualities is not intended hears the views of at least some
these was the Congregation for to be exhaustive, for other desirable
Bishops, which oversees the selection qualities would include good
of most new bishops. Not slow in judgement, an equable temperament,
coming forward, the students asked management skills, and fidelity to If he considers it
rather pointed questions at times, the magisterium. The reference to beneficial, the nuncio may
among which was: ‘Why does it take the ‘office in question’ means not seek individually and in
so long to appoint bishops?’ The only to the episcopate in general,
response was diplomatic but rather but also to the particular office to be secret, the opinions of
opaque, but it raised questions filled, therefore local and national diocesan and religious
from the group on the very process concerns would have to be taken
clergy and of ‘lay persons
itself - who is eligible to be a bishop, into consideration.
how do names come forward, who The process of considering of outstanding wisdom’
decides, and do some people refuse candidates for the episcopacy (canon 377 §3).
the office? begins before a see becomes vacant
It can be argued that the through resignation by the bishop
appointment of bishops in the on the grounds of age or ill-health or
Church is rather a complicated through the death of a bishop while members of the college of consultors
process, with various ‘stakeholders’ in office. Canon 377 states that the and the cathedral chapter. If he
having a role in the selection. The bishops of an ecclesiastical province considers it beneficial, the nuncio
exact process can vary, depending or of an episcopal conference are to may seek individually and in secret,
on a number of factors. These draw up ‘by common accord and in the opinions of diocesan and
include the location of the diocese secret’ a list of priests judged to be religious clergy and of ‘lay persons
geographically, whether the suitable generically (that is, without of outstanding wisdom’ (canon 377
candidate is being chosen to fill reference to any particular see) to §3).
the office of a diocesan bishop or be appointed as bishops. This list Once the nuncio shortens his list
being appointed as an auxiliary is always recent, because the canon of candidates, he seeks the input
bishop, and whether he is already an requires that it be drawn up ‘at of a number of people who know
ordained bishop. least every three years’. However, each candidate well enough to
individual bishops may also make comment on their qualities and
A suitable candidate known to the Apostolic See those aptitude for episcopal office. This
The Code of Canon Law 1983 priests they consider are worthy and is done by way of a questionnaire
specifies who is a suitable candidate suitable for episcopal office. which is completed in the strictest
for the episcopate; a priest ordained When a see become vacant through confidentiality. While this obligation
for at least five years, who is at the death of the bishop and someone for secrecy may be questioned,
least 35 years old, and held in good needs to be appointed to fill that there is a human dimension here.
esteem (canon 378 §1). He must also gap, more concrete consultations Bearing in mind canon 220 which
be well versed in sacred Scripture, take place. The apostolic nuncio (the upholds the right to a person’s good
theology and canon law, if he does Pope’s representative to both the reputation and privacy, if it were
not hold a licentiate or doctorate in government and hierarchy of a given widely known that a priest had been
one of these disciplines. This canon nation) asks the vicar general or under consideration and had not
also specifies that a candidate must the diocesan administrator to draw made it to the final list, people might
be ‘outstanding in strong faith, good up a report on the situation and speculate - erroneously that he had
February 2021 OPEN HOUSE 11been excluded because of some fault the appointment. If the Pope gives process, and what appears to be a
found in him. his assent, this is communicated to narrow base for consultation about
the Congregation who notifies the a candidate’s suitability for office,
List of three nuncio. He in turn then notifies the leaves the rest of the community in
The nuncio will then send to the candidate to obtain his consent to the dark. This, they say, calls into
Apostolic See a list (known as the the appointment. If the answer is account the overall efficacy of the
‘terna’) of the three candidates who ‘yes’, the Vatican is notified, and a process.
seem to be the most appropriate date is set for the announcement. The suggested solution is that
for consideration, together with the So, that describes the current a broader base of consultation
information that has been gathered process for filling a vacant see. should be established, particularly
on each of them. He will also send However, questions have been raised among lay people in the diocese
his own opinion drawn from the about the process itself in that it where the bishop is to be appointed.
evidence available. seems to be rather opaque and long, Such greater transparency and
While great weight is given to about the question of consultation wider consultation would give
the nuncio’s recommendation, and those who are in fact asked the Catholic community a better
it is important to note that his about the qualities of candidate, and understanding of how episcopal
‘gatekeeper’ role does not mean that the whole issue of secrecy. leaders are appointed. At present,
his recommendations are always these proposals are being considered
followed. The department of the Time for reform? by the Australian bishops. Whether
Roman Curia responsible for an These points have been raised they are accepted or not, no doubt
appointment to the archdiocese of in a recent document that was there will be ongoing discussion on
Glasgow is the Congregation for commissioned by bishops and the current provisions on appointing
Bishops, which comprises around religious orders in Australia, in bishops, and whether any changes
30 cardinals and archbishops response to the recommendations will improve the process.
drawn from around the world and of the Royal Commission into
headed by one who is known as the institutional child sexual abuse.2 The 1
A Province is a territory comprising one
‘Cardinal Prefect’. report notes instances of dioceses archdiocese, and one or more dioceses
called suffragan sees.
If the appointment to the vacant being left vacant before new bishops
see involves a bishop who is being have been appointed, and given that 2
The report is entitled The Light from
transferred from another diocese, the process outlined above can take the Southern Cross: Promoting Co-
Responsible Governance in the Catholic
the matter may be handled by the up to two years (or more), it is a Church in Australia, 1 May 2020
Prefect and the staff. However, if valid criticism that a more pro-active (available online).
a priest is being appointed to the succession plan does not appear to 3
Canon 401 §1 states that a diocesan
episcopacy, a discussion of all bishop be in place, given that we know the bishop who has completed his seventy-
members of the Congregation is age at which a bishop will likely fifth year of age is requested to offer his
ordinarily involved. One known retire.3 However, the Australian resignation from office to the Supreme
as a ‘Cardinal Relator’ is chosen report concedes that delays Pontiff.
to summarize the documentation may be caused by unavoidable
and make a report to the full circumstances, that there is a Dr Helen Costigane SHCJ is a canon
Congregation, which generally diminishing pool of candidates from lawyer and teaches at St Mary’s
meets at least monthly. After which to choose, and it speculates University, Twickenham.
hearing the Cardinal Relator’s that it seems likely that some people
report, the Congregation discusses who are approached decline the
the appointment and then votes. appointment.
The Congregation may follow the ‘Consultation’ and ‘secrecy’ are
recommendation of the nuncio, also discussed in the report. While
choose another of the candidates on the principle of consultation is
the terna, or even ask that another provided for in canon law, it is not
terna be prepared. readily apparent how this happens
However, as noted in canon 377 in practice, and much of this is
§1, the final decision lies with the conducted under the practice of
Pope. When the Congregation sub secreto pontificio (under the
decides on who should be ‘pontifical secret’).
appointed, it presents its conclusions The report suggests that the lack
to the Pope and asks him to make of transparency in the selection
12 OPEN HOUSE February 2021Pope John XXIII
JOE FITZPATRICK looks back on his time as a student in Rome during
the pontificate of John XXIII.
The way we were…
In recent day I have had been told that the
found myself reflecting protocol required us
on some of the more to genuflect when the
memorable and Pope entered the room
impressionable events in and we duly did so.
my life. One of these was But Pope John waved
my experience of meeting his hands upwards and
Pope John XXIII as a peremptorily told us to
student in Rome. stand up, adding, ‘Sulle
Following the death of ginocchia solamente
Pope Pius XII in October avanti di Dio’ - ‘On the
1958, Italian newspapers knees only before God’.
and magazines were full He exuded warmth
Michael O’Neill, who writes for Open House from Florida, is on the left,
of photos and biographies and Joe Fitzpatrick is second from the right.
and good humour and
of those Cardinals you could see why he
considered to be ‘papabili’. having served as apostolic visitor in was universally liked;
As a second year student in the Bulgaria, apostolic delegate in Turkey, there was simply nothing solemn or
Scots College, I was taken by several and papal Nuncio in France before pompous about him. He chatted with
commanding figures among these men. being appointed to Venice. His sojourn Bishop Scanlan in a mixture of French
As the Conclave to elect the new Pope in France was a tricky one as the fairly and Italian before being introduced to
got under way, we students would troop new French government had to deal each of us in turn. Towards the end of
along to St Peter’s Square in the hope with a country recently occupied by the the short audience, I heard him say to
of seeing white smoke rising above the Germans where many of the bishops the Bishop, ‘Un piccolo bacino primo di
Sistine Chapel. had supported the Vichy Petain regime. partire?’ - ‘a little kiss before parting?’
It was only at the end of the twelfth When Roncalli arrived, the post-war My last memory of the audience was
ballot that the smoke turned from authorities made it clear that they of these two rather short, stout men
a dubious grey to a clear white. wanted 33 bishops to be removed from hugging each other in a warm embrace.
Excitement in the crowd grew to a their posts. Through skilful negotiation This audience took place a few years
new level of intensity as we awaited Roncalli had the number reduced to before the start of the Second Vatican
the legendary statement from the three. He was a class act. Council, which was to be Pope John’s
balcony - ‘Habemus Papam!’ When it I came to enjoy the large general greatest and most lasting achievement.
was announced that the new Pope was audiences with the new Pope, which He died on 3rd June 1963, two years
Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, I have to were held in St Peter’s Square each before the Council ended. There was
confess to never having heard of him. week. He had a clear, ringing voice an enormous outpouring of grief from
I asked my better informed student and a lovely self-deprecating sense all over the world in honour of a Pope
companion who Roncalli was and, in of humour, in stark contrast to the who wanted above all to dialogue
a voice dripping with disappointment, lugubrious voice of his successor, with the world, to engage with its
he replied that he was (and I quote) Paul VI. In a smaller audience I attended problems, and to help nations better
‘a little fat guy with an ugly face’. We with a group of Scottish pilgrims, he understand each other. Krushchev’s
soon learned that Roncalli was the said that he wanted to say ‘a couple of son-in-law visited him at the Vatican
Archbishop of Venice and was aged 77. words in Italian and a word and a half and President Kennedy said he was
The common belief at the time was that in French’, hinting at the fact that his proud to belong to a Church whose
he was a stop-gap Pope, elected to allow French was not quite up to the standard leader was the author of the encyclical
some of the younger Italian bishops of his native Italian. He did not speak Pacem in Terris (‘Peace on Earth’). Pope
and archbishops to join the college of English. John turned his back on the negative,
Cardinals, from whose ranks the next My most vivid memory of Pope John finger-wagging, rebuking style of many
substantial Pope would be elected. stems from 1959 when Bishop Scanlan of his predecessors in the 19th and 20th
This proved to be one of the greatest of Motherwell was able to bring centuries. As his biographer, E.E.Y.
misconceptions in the history of the students from the Motherwell Diocese Hales, wrote: ‘No four years of papal
modern Church. Roncalli was certainly to a private audience with the Pope. We history have seen such major policy
short and stout and came from a very were conducted to a large room deep in changes...’ Some stop-gap!
large northern Italian family of peasant the Vatican buildings. After a short wait,
farmers, but he had behind him a long the Pope arrived, wreathed in smiles, Joe Fitzpatrick is an author and a retired
and distinguished diplomatic career, and greeting us warmly in Italian. We inspector of schools.
February 2021 OPEN HOUSE 13Scottish literature
GERRY CARRUTHERS traces the ongoing presence of medieval Glasgow in Scottish literature.
Medieval Glasgow
Early medieval Glasgow was called but the Glaswegian physical and and its proximity to the cathedral. In
‘Cathures’ (a derivation, probably, of even intellectual structures of the one sense a break from its medieval
‘fortress on the Clyde’). Its literature latter remained essentially intact: the life, in another its new neo-gothic
in the 12th century was related to the University, founded by papal bull in grandeur spoke of a revival of things
fact that the city was an important 1451 (making it the fourth oldest pre-Reformation, including the
ecclesiastical centre, especially seat of higher learning in the English- leadership here of the third Marquess
revolving around its foundational speaking world) and the cathedral of Bute, a Catholic convert, whose
sixth-century saint, Mungo or itself. A 19th century painting by funds endowed the magnificent Bute
Kentigern, whose feast day falls on David Roberts, ‘Defence of the Hall at the university.
13th January. Cathedral by the Trades’ House On a lesser scale we find the
By the 1180s the city was known in 1579 during the Reformation,’ politically radical poet, Alexander
as Glasgow (perhaps ‘green hollow’ features a story that may be Rodger (1784-1846) celebrating St
becoming ‘dear green place’) when its apocryphal, but which reflects a spirit Mungo in his poetry, and the great
Bishop, Jocelyn, commissioned a Life in the city which was loath to see the novelist John Galt (1779-1839)
of Kentigern from another Jocelyn stone of its great church recycled to writing even-handedly of both sides
(the Cistercian writer) and this work other uses.
in the Reformation, including events
promoted not only the holiness of During the 19th century, especially,
around Glasgow, in his novel Ringan
Mungo but the life of his mother, we ought to realise that medieval
Gilhaize (1823).
Taneu or Enoch, his following in Glasgow not only had not been
The proud revivifying of St Mungo’s
the footsteps of St Ninian and his obliterated in the 16th century, but
Cathedral through the 19th and into
relationship to his contemporary St was always present - in the city
coat of arms, for example, framed the 20th century by the Church of
Columba.
around the mythography of Mungo, Scotland offers further proof that
The saintly power of Scotland’s
including the saint as a boy bringing medieval Glasgow had never really
great western metropolis was boosted
back to life a robin stoned to death left the city’s heart, both physically
also at the end of the 12th century by
by his playmates. and metaphorically.
poems such as ‘Song on the Death of
The university in 1870 moved to the In even more recent times, we
Somerled’ written by William, a clerk
west end, away from the High Street have Edwin Morgan’s collection of
(or priest) at the Cathedral. This
poetry about the city, Cathures
Latin poem documents Glasgow
(2002) and the entertaining Gil
being saved from the marauding
brigand, Somerled, after Cunningham mystery novels
prayers to St Mungo facilitate by Pat McIntosh set around
Somerled’s head being hacked the cathedral precincts. These
off by a priest and presented to include, very suitably in the
the Bishop. central conceit of its title, St
Glasgow’s real-life muscle in Mungo’s Robin (2008). With its
current affairs was very much own fictional medieval detective,
boosted by the power of prayer, Glasgow is a city, clearly, whose
and it became an archbishopric pre-Reformation identity is
from the 1480s. In the medieval still powerfully deployed in its
period cities such as Edinburgh citizens’ imaginations.
and Stirling fuelled their claims In these thankfully ecumenical
to power via association with times, today’s Glaswegians
the monarchy, together with a can grasp a common historical
more prominent secular poetry, heritage which both survives and
which was largely absent in the traverses confessional bounds.
west (although it is likely that
some such literature associated The St Mungo Lecture on
with Glasgow was lost in the this theme was delivered by
period of Reformation). Professor Gerard Carruthers
The Protestant Reformation of Glasgow University on 7th
marked a theological break St Mungo’s Cathedral, Glasgow. January, as part of the annual St
with Medieval Catholicism, Photo by Dominic Cullen. Mungo Festival.
14 OPEN HOUSE February 2021You can also read
