Scottish Catholic Observer

THE Catholic Church in Scotland needs the prayers and support of those in monastic life now as much as it did when St Columba arrived in 563, the Bishop of Argyll and Isles told those gathered for the national Year of Faith Mass in Oban. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Antonio Mennini presided over the Mass on Sunday, the solemnity of St Columba, to mark the 1450th anniversary of the arrival of 6th century Irish abbot and missionary on Iona. Sunday’s Mass was celebrated by local Bishop Joseph Toal along with fellow members of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland—including Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow, president, and his predecessor Archbishop Mario Conti, diocesan clergy and priests from around Scotland and beyond. During his homily Bishop Toal, vice president of the Bishops’ Conference, said it was fitting to honour St Columba, one of the early evangelisers of Scotland, during this Year of Faith and the New... continue reading.