Scottish Catholic Observer

Bishop Joseph Toal of Motherwell, the new SCIAF president, was the principal celebrant at the golden jubilee celebration of the international aid agency of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. Bishop Toal was joined by out going SCIAF president Bishop Emeritus Peter Moran of Aberdeen, Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Archbishop Emeritus Mario Conti of Glasgow, Bishop John Keenan of Paisley and Bishop Emeritus John Mone of Paisley

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP and Scottish Labour Leader Jim Murphy MP represented the Scottish and the Westminster Parliaments respectively at the Mass, celebrated in St Columbkille’s Church in Rutherglen, where the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund was founded.

In his homily Bishop Moran said: ‘SCIAF represents the Catholics of Scotland reaching out to the needy in needy countries,’ adding that although the charity has benefited from the generosity of corporate bodies, government donations and the like ‘it has not become too dependent.’

“We do not want to grow away from our core support—Scottish Catholics,” he said.

The real stars of the day were the singers and musicians representing India, Africa and South America at the Mass—who created a joyous festival of a celebration—and the school students who took an active role in the Mass, including during the procession of flags.

SCIAF Director Alistair Dutton highlighted how bittersweet Sunday’s celebration was, however, when he said ‘this is not time to celebrate’ as, in spite of successful campaign s and projects over the years, much work still remained to be done to help those most in need in the world.

Pic: Paul McSherry: Bishop Toal and Bishop Moran help Nicola Sturgeon MSP and Jim Murphy MP cut a SCIAF anniversary cake after Sunday’s Mass, watched by SCIAF Director Alistair Dutton

—Full photo report in this Friday’s SCO