Scottish Catholic Observer

Sometimes, the world does not make sense: Secularists calling the replacement of religious observation in schools with nothing ‘progress;’ pro-choice activists encircling last week’s pro-life procession at George Square in Glasgow preventing anyone from joining or leaving the event… The list goes on. Add to that list this week the bittersweet news that even though the vital work of St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society has been recognised by the prestigious UK National Adoption Week Awards, the future of its adoption services still hangs in the legal balance.

Those who would see the Christian values of our society erased from history and the future have failed on many fronts. They have failed to realise that equal does not have to mean the same and they have failed to understand that the debate is lost when the aim stops being the need to be heard and becomes the need to be proven right by silencing your opponent.

The hope that they fail in their ultimate aims needs our prayers and action too.

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Parishioners at one Motherwell parish were out of their comfort zones recently when a large party for a Baptism after Sunday morning Mass resulted in regular parishioners relocating to parts of the church where they did not normally sit. There was no animosity, just confusion at first: Joy at the coming Baptism and an unusual scramble for seats reminiscent of the busier days of yesteryear. As a result, however, parishioners spoke to members of the congregation when leaving Mass that they did not normally get the chance to. These conversations led to new links and fresh perspectives.

Challenges within our Church here in Scotland, a Church that is eagerly awaiting new Episcopal appointments to vacant bishops’ chairs to bolster a clergy under strain, have moved us all out of our comfort zones. Will we rise to the challenge that is the need for laity to move into a far more active ‘supportive role’ in parishes and Church business now and in the future? Will we, and our Faith, grow from these fresh perspectives and re-opened channels of communication? It is a chance we cannot afford to miss.