Scottish church launches fund for Rome seminary
The church in Scotland has launched a one million pound fundraising campaign to secure the long-term future of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome. The decision was announced at a conference of the Scottish bishops last week. Parishioners will be asked for donations through leaflets distributed in every church. The money raised will be placed in an endowment fund, which is currently financed by the church through annual payments from each of its eight dioceses. Church spokesman Peter Kearney, said: "This endowment fund should ensure the long-term stability of the college." Archbishop Keith O'Brien, president of the Bishop's Conference, said: "This appeal is aimed at all who would like to help the college continue its work and be a spiritual and cultural bridge between Scotland and Rome." The church has had a seminary in Rome since 1600. The current building, which has eleven undergraduates and five post-graduate students, is about 60 years old and needs modernisation.