Scotland: Cardinal represents Pope at anniversary of St John Ogilvie

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor was the Pope's representative today at ceremonies to mark the 400th anniversary of the execution of St John Ogilvie - Scotland's only post-Reformation Catholic martyr. The celebrations formally began with vespers on 9 March at St Aloysius Church, Glasgow, and there was a Mass in St Andrew's Cathedral, Glasgow today on the saint's feast day.

During vespers last night, the Cardinal delivered the following Papal Message to the people of Scotland:

The faithful who live in Scotland are solemnly celebrating the fourth centenary of the martyrdom of St John Ogilvy, SJ. This distinguished man born into a Calvinist family, converted to the Catholic faith in his youth. Later, he entered the Society of Jesus and having been ordained priest, zealously exercised the pastoral care of souls, first in Austria and in France, then returning to his homeland where he had care of the spiritual journey of his fellow countrymen; until under King James VI, he was imprisoned and sentenced to death. He won the glorious palm of martyrdom at the scaffold on 10th March 1615 in Glasgow.

Our blessed predecessor Paul VI canonised him on 17 October 1976 and confirmed the importance of his witness as an imitator of Christ for the faithful of our age. On the occasion of this anniversary, especially important in Scotland, and above all the Archdiocese of Glasgow, pastoral initiatives are being taken so that everyone -mindful of the example of this martyr - should be prompted to a renewed faith, hope and charity, and to zealous discipleship in the life of Christ.

Wherefore our Venerable Brother Philip Tartaglia, Metropolitan Archbishop of Glasgow and President of the Episcopal Conference of Scotland has most courteously asked that we should send an eminent Representative as our Delegate in Glasgow and to show our love for Christ's faithful in Scotland. And we so turn to you Venerable Brother who so prudently administered the Metropolitan Church of Westminster and nominate you by this document our Special Envoy for the planned solemn festivities in the city of Glasgow on 9 and 10 March.

You will preside at the Eucharist and will greet in our name the Archbishop and other holy prelates, priests, religious, public authorities and all the faithful. By your words, you will invite all present to the fervent imitation of the life of Christ and the daily observance and divine commands by a specially devoted way of life in every way.

Lastly we pray that everyone mindful of the witness of St. John Ogilvie and so many Christians should show fresh strength and zeal in wholehearted love for the Church of Christ and the Gospel and outstanding devotion of faith in today's world. We will be with you in prayer Venerable Brother as you fulfil your mission. Finally we are pleased to grant the Apostolic Blessing as a sign of our good will towards you and a pledge of heavenly gifts. Please convey these to all those who participate in the celebration.

Francis Given in Vatican City 15 Feb 2015

In his homil during the Mass, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia highlighted attacks on religious freedom, which he will claim, is: "fragile, not always recognised, not always respected, in some places denied, leading, as we know, to persecution, sectarianism and brutality. St John Ogilvie was a standard bearer for the right relationship between the state and the religious freedom of its citizens. It is important that churches, faith communities and religious bodies are in dialogue with government and civil authorities about what religious freedom and freedom of conscience mean in their circumstances."

Archbishop Tartaglia commended ecumenical engagement in Scotland, saying; "Ecumenical relations between the churches teach us how to live and express our baptismal unity with prayer, dialogue, shared witness in the name of peace and justice, common service to the poor and needy, and with huge courtesy and friendship. If the goal of the ecumenical movement, full visible communion, escapes us still and seems as far away as ever, there is a very real and effective ecumenism of friendship, prayer, witness and service which is a great good and which keeps the hope alive. Oh - and an ecumenism of martyrdom too, because, as the Pope said, the martyrs belong to all Christians.

So, even as the Catholic community rejoices for St John Ogilvie, I offer St John Ogilvie tonight as a martyr for all Scots Christians, so that we may together reap the rich harvest of faith and love which his blood has sowed in our land."

Source: CCN/SCMO