Scottish Catholic Observer

The St Ninian Institute, a part-time distance learning college named to commemorate the first day of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Scotland in September 2010, will formally open in September. Its work begins, however, with a series of high profile Year of Faith lectures starting next weekend with an opening lecture from Bishop High Gilbert of Aberdeen.

The institute is the result of an agreement between the former director of Maryvale Institute in England, Mgr Paul Watson, and Bishop Vincent Logan of Dunkeld Diocese before he retired.

David Meiklejohn, formerly a course director and director of Liturgical music at Maryvale, is to be the first director of the St Ninian Institute. He told the SCO that it was a very exciting prospect.

“Here is an outstanding opportunity to provide a range of excellent courses at a time when many people, inspired by the example and teaching of Pope Benedict XVI, want to fortify their Faith to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world,” he said. “As director, I am well supported by leading Catholic academics who are sharing in this exciting vision and who will variously serve the St Ninian Institute as trustees, research fellows and senior research fellows as well as the generous diocesan staff in Dundee and all those who have contributed so enthusiastically to our Academic Library.”

Mr Meiklejohn said that for many Scottish Catholics ‘the last time they were exposed to Catechesis was when they were at school.’ He hopes ordinary Catholics from all over the country would take advantage of the institute’s courses.

The institute will be based, at Dundee’s Lawside campus that comprises the Dunkeld Diocesan offices and St Joseph’s Convent, previously occupied by the Sisters of Mercy and can provide accommodation for visiting students and staff.

“I think Dundee is very accessible to those coming from the central belt and the North East,” Mr Meiklejohn said.

He added that he hoped people would travel from across the country to attend the institute’s inaugural lecture series that will be kicked off on March 2 by Bishop Gilbert who will speak on At the Service of the Mystery. Future speakers include Professor John Haldane of St Andrews University, Fr John Keenan, chaplain at Glasgow University and Stephen Callaghan of the Glasgow Archdiocesan Arts Project.

—     Lectures begin at 10am at the Diocesan Centre, 24-28 Lawside Road, Dundee. Phone Carole McIvor on 01382 225453 to secure places.

—     [email protected]