May 23 | 
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Great worth from hard times
Something of great worth can emerge from a difficult period in Scottish history. This week we look at the legacy of the imprisonment of Italian prisoners of war on Orkney during the Second World War. While it was not permitted for PoWs to be put to work for the war effort of their captors, the Churchill barriers connecting Orkney was a clever workaround for this rule. That, however, is not the beauty being referred to here. No, the amazing transformation of Nissen huts by the Italian PoWs into what stands today as the Italian Chapel on Orkney remains the real wonder to behold on these islands, a tribute to both Faith and the human spirit.
Pope Francis bestowed his Apostolic blessing on the Italian Chapel this weekend, his message read aloud in the Italian Chapel as Archbishop Antonio Mennini and Archbishop Mario Conti (above) celebrated Mass there with members of the families of the PoW camp detainees.
The Holy Father says the Italian chapel is ‘a sign of peace and reconciliation.’ Reconciliation in Scotland in another form is on the mind of Queen Elizabeth II. In a message to the Church of Scotland on Saturday, as its General Assembly opened, the monarch recognised the role the church can play in helping to heal divisions being opened up by the debate over Scottish independence.
While neither the Kirk nor the Catholic Church in Scotland will look to influence voters on their decision in the independence referendum, both churches must be prepared to lead the way in shaping Scotland whatever the result in the poll on constitutional independence for our country. Just as the European Union was formed around the principles of Catholic social teaching, however, religious freedom and tolerance and our country’s Christian origins must be recognised and cherished as Scotland moves forward. The fate of the persecuted Christian mother-to-be in Sudan is an extreme example of what can happen when religious freedom is denied.
And for critics who claim the Catholic Church still needs to get it own house in order before guiding anyone else, please do not tar everyone—religious and laity alike—with the same brush over abuse. As Tina Campbell, national safeguarding co-ordinator for the Scottish Catholic Church, has just said: Cases that may have been overlooked will go to Police Scotland and a great deal of measures have already been put in place by the Church to better deal with the issue. Critics must also remember that the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has been transformed by Pope Francis’ election through new appointments. The great work of the Church continues in spite of any crisis or scandal.
Indeed, something of great worth is once again emerging from a difficult period in Scottish Catholic Church history.
Pic: Ronnie Convery
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