Scotland: St Ninian's Institute inaugurated by Papal Nuncio

Archbishop Mennini, Bishop Logan and VIP guests at inauguration - image: Paul McSherry

Scotland’s first Catholic higher education institute in modern times, was inaugurated yesterday. The Papal Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, presided at the official opening of the new Saint Ninian’s Institute in Dundee yesterday (Thursday 25 October). His Excellency also was chief celebrant at Mass in the Institute’s chapel afterwards.

The new institute has been named after Scotland’s first saint, and was inaugurated by Bishop-Emeritus Vincent Logan of Dunkeld to commemorate the visit of Emeritus-Pope Benedict XVI to Scotland on St Ninian’s Day 2010. It is based at St Joseph’s, Lawside, Dundee.

St Ninian's will offer long-distance learning modules in Catholic theology and culture, and provide opportunities for ecumenical initiatives. Personal learning will be augmented by residential weekends and lectures. The first annual lecture series, marking the Year of Faith, has set the standard, with national and international academic contributors.

There will be a strong emphasis on the arts, with courses in sacred music, history and art, which will appeal to a Catholic and non-Catholic audience alike. In conjunction with the Maryvale Ecclesiastical Institute, Birmingham, research PhDs may be undertaken at St Ninian’s.