Archbishop Conti dreams that the Pope will visit the newly refurbished Cathedral when he visits Scotland next year. The Archbishop said: “Whether he comes here or not is far too early to say. But it’s my dream that if he’s passing through Glasgow, he might pass this way.” Click here to read the Herald report
“Pass this way”? When he learns of the extent of the decline of the Church in Scotland, he’s likely to pass out.
Or maybe you disagree? Click on ‘comments’ with your thoughts on this.
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If the Pope has any sense he’ll keep passing. Surely Archbishop Conti wouldn’t want the Pope to start asking awkward questions? Let’s not forget, this guy is the worst Archbishop of Glasgow since the restoration of the hierarchy!
Anyway, I’m feeling charitable so I thought I’d write up a wee itinerary for Archbishop Conti to present to the Pope.
1. Search for the missing priests of the Archdiocese.
2. Meet with the seminarians of the Archdiocese (this shouldn’t take long)
3. Discussion of the implementation of Summorum Pontificum in the Archdiocese (even quicker)
4. Create an Action Plan/points for improvement for when Archbishop Conti leaves office – this will take a while
5. Professional Review for the Chancellor of the Archdiocese – the recommendation is to promote the incumbent to the position of Papal Nuncio to the North Pole
6. Preview of the work done on Saint Andrew’s Cathedral (TNT may be required)
7. Most importantly – book a one way ticket for the present Archbishop and escort him tithe airport.
I think I should send this straight away.
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It’s just a pity that the Scottish Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Conti included, and probably primary amongst his confreres, didn’t want the relics of St. Therese to pass “this way.”
The Bishops declined an offer to have the relics translated to Scotland, saying that they didn’t feel they had sufficient diocesan resources anywhere in the country to cope with such a visit. No details were given, just a straightforward brush off.
Now Archbishop Conti saysy he hopes for a visit from the Pope. That’s what I call living on the edge!!! Maybe he thinks His Holiness will commiserate with him over the closure of the last seminary in Scotland, while expressing disappointment at no longer being able to listen to Fr. (Call me Andy) Monaghan’s Open Line on radio.
Well I suppose His Grace always has the ace card of a stroll around the Italian Garden to offer the Holy Father. No seminaries, fewer churches, no implementation of Summorum Pontificum and a general decline in all things Catholic will surely pale into insignificance for His Holiness when he smells the roses in that little city plot!! I think it’s Archbishop Conti who has to wake up and smell – The Coffee!
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Veddy droll, you two. Have you been watching “Yes, Prime Minister” again?
If Scotland’s bishops didn’t have the diocesan resources to cope with a visit from the relics of St. Therese, I wonder how they will manage to muster up the “diocesan resources” for a visit from His Holiness?
I also wonder if those diocesan resources included Christian humility, devotion, adoration, gratitude and joy?
Petrus, if the Holy Father visits around Easter, perhaps that search for missing priests could take the form of an Easter Egg Hunt…you know, just to enhance the “spiritual refreshment” of it all.
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Oh goodness! The Prophet Athanasius might have been quoting directly from the November edition!
It is amazing the contrast in attitude – we can’t manage to house the relics but send us the Pope!
Unbelievable. Yet, I wonder how many, if any, of the thousands of “angry” (according to the Tablet) Scots who had to cross the border to visit the relics, will notice the irony? And having noticed, how many, if any, will recognise the bishops’ faithlessness and love of photo opportunities in the spot where zeal for souls should be?
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If, and it has not been decided yet, the Holy Father includes Scotland in his visit, it will be for a matter of hours, not days, and therefore not requiring the resources which the St Therese relics would have needed.
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Good try, Fintan. Doesn’t convince me, but a good try just the same.
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Actually I find it quite shocking that Scotland didn’t host St. Theresa’s relics. I didn’t know about this until I read it on this blog. A number of people from this parish went south to venerate them but I hadn’t realised why. How terrible. Is there a valid reason or just the usual wishy washiness?
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Athanasius:
I appreciate this is slightly off topic, but why is ‘no Seminaries’ such an issue? I’d rather have ten Pontifical Scots Colleges over a Scotus anyday. So what if the Seminary ain’t on Scottish soil?
At the same time, though, I agree Glasgow Cathedral’s hardly anything to look at, and still can’t quite understand why Conti needs an italian garden!
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How did he even get planning permission for this? It’s an historic ancient monument, and of all the vandalism that has been done to once beautiful Catholic churches, this this really does take the biscuit. Would this have been allowed on any other ancient monument? He is altering the whole layout and fabric of the building. A travesty.
And he has the outrargeous arrogance to criticize the National Lottery for giving money for the Olympics, and not funding his destruction of a piece of Scotland’s heritage.
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Mark M
I agree that Scotus was a shameful excuse for a seminary. It’s not the quality I was thinking about though, it’s the fact that seminaries have closed under the watch of Archbishop Conti.
The closing of Scotus is actually beneficial to Scotland in that it will mean that seminarians now have to go to Rome, where they will doubtless get a better formation. Still, that better formation should have been available to them here in Scotland.
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I heard that seminarians from Scotus were going to Maynooth instead of Rome to save them turning out “right wing”. Has anybody else heard this?
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Mark M
Now now young laddie, don’t be disrespectful.
Because Archbishop (note the use of a title) Conti is of Italian extraction and he probably wishes to be buried on his home turf and right in the centre of his now bankrupt archdiocese. Duh!
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Editor
Not sure what you thought I was trying, I was just making a factual point.
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rebel,
It is indeed the case that the Scottish seminarians are being sent to Maynooth; this has been clearly established from reports in the Catholic press and diocesean newsletters etc.
I am inclined to think this was a change from the original intention, since two seminarians I know believed they were heading for Rome when the news of Scotus’ closure first broke, only to be billeted to Maynooth instead.
Disappointing, but not surprising, that they maneuvered to avoid having more traditionally formed priests to turn the tide. But that day will come.
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Crossraguel
I think all new seminarians are being sent to Rome. However, I think it’s a bit too optimistic to say the Roman priests will “more traditionally formed”. The recent products of that College haven’t exactly been setting the heather on fire and, from what I hear, the new Rector hasn’t exactly tried to turn the tide.
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Petrus,
My anecdotal example was related to existing seminarians being transferred to Maynooth, perhaps you have information of this being announced as an interim measure and confirmation that new students will definitely be going to Rome? I ask since the examples cited believed they’d be going to Rome only to be sent to Maynooth.
I think the word ‘more’ adequately qualifies my statement, in that from the perspective of the current hierarchy they will likely view Ireland as being closer to their theological outlook and control than Rome, with concerns about regression such as communion in hand etc. being espoused in the Vatican. God forbid such changes would find their way into Scottish parishes.
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Crossraguel
I think Scotus was affiliated to Maynooth. the current crop are being sent there to avoid too much disruption. Let’s face it, someone who has done twoor three years at Scotus isn’t going to be academically ready to fit into the courses at the Gregorian University.
As far as I know, ALL new seminarians were sent to Rome.
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Perhaps they could offer to continue their formation at Ecône?
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