Scottish Catholic Observer

As Professor Tom Devine noted in this week’s SCO this is an ‘epic’ event that has captured the world’s imagination. Indeed with the Commonwealth Games taking place in Glasgow this summer, it is likely that never before has so much attention been focused on our small corner of the earth.

There may be an instinct to shy away from this, to fret and fear that we will somehow embarrass ourselves, before the gaze of the world. While there is still much wrong in Scotland, this is not a time for such negativity. This is a moment for Scots of all stripes, unionist and nationalist to debate openly and fiercely, but with good humour and mutual respect.

This will not be too hard, as it has been largely what has happened. Away from the occasionally rancorous soundbites of the political classes, Scots have engaged each other in churches, bars and homes up and down the land.

Arguments have been raised and rebutted, views put forward and rebutted with laughter and good cheer. Long may this continue, because in an age of disillusionment and cynicism in the here and now there has been repudiation of such craven instincts.

The key to such successful debates, is of course, that they take place face-to-face. Increasingly, many converse from behind a computer or phone screen, and while this undoubtedly is a useful thing, the lack of the human dimension does, sometimes, spur some to cruelty, not realising the impact on the recipient. As we report this week, a man was fined for unleashing foul anti-Catholic abuse at a prominent Yes campaigner over Facebook.

The many visitors that pass this way in the next few months, will surely find a friendly welcome. We should never forget those old rules of hospitality, and that they are best applied to our nearest neighbours. If the rest of the independence debate is carried out in that spirit, Scotland will have much to celebrate, regardless of the result, and Pope Francis will likely be proud.