Scottish Catholic Observer

There have been so many reaffirming stories since the end of the Commonwealth Games that it is increasingly hard to separate fact from urban legend. The More than Gold homestay programme was oversubscribed by athletes’ families and Games volunteers hoping to enjoy Scottish family hospitality in a way the Christian organisation has not seen before. Then there were the members of Malawi cycling team who were gifted new bikes by a Glasgow cycle store owner when the equipment they sent in to him for service before a road race wasn’t up to scratch. And do not forget the sports shop that kitted out for free a Commonwealth boxing team that had been set to compete in trainers with everything they needed.

As the Games closed, and Commonwealth leaders marked the centenary of Britain’s entry into the First World War, some people would say the above are examples of Glasgow/Scottish hospitality and generosity at its finest. Others will see the Holy Spirit at work. Whatever brought out the best in us during the Commonwealth Games, let us hold onto that sense of unity and togetherness, especially in the run up to the independence referendum. If we can compete in a spirit of brotherhood and peace when the Commonwealth is watching, let us pray that we can carry ourselves in the run up to September 18 and beyond with the same grace an dignity in spite of our differences when the world is looking on.

Scotland is an increasingly diverse nation but nationalism in our country, unlike some others, appears to embrace that. Let us hope and pray our country’s future is a religiously tolerant one, that we learn from the sectarian mistakes of the past.

Whatever the outcome of the referendum, let us pray that, in a fad- and fashion-driven world, Scotland does not throw away its foundation stones of family and faith in a foolhardy bid to be seen as ‘progressive.’ Only fools rush in where angels fear to tread but, in the event of a ‘yes’ vote, there will not be a great deal of time for an independent Scotland to thrash out what should be at the heart of its constitution. Catholic social teaching provides an ideal model, as the founders of the European Union realised and Catholic historian Alan Fimister, author of Robert Schumann: Neo-scholastic Humanism and the Unification of Europe, documented.

The role of religion in public life, the moral requirements upon the state and a respectful dialogue between church and state must be preserved in our country. We must hope that religious freedom is embraced as we move forward, not just tolerated.