Celebration at Carfin Grotto for 40th anniversary of J&P Scotland

Photo by Paul McSherry

Scotland's National Shrine at Carfin in the Diocese of Motherwell, was host yesterday to a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Justice and Peace Scotland.

A special Mass, celebrated by Bishop William Nolan, President of Justice and Peace Scotland, was followed by a tree planting ceremony in the beautiful grounds of Carfin Grotto.

A statue of St Andrew, patron saint of Scotland, was the centrepiece of the ceremony, and eight trees - four Junipers and four Scots Pines - were planted around it to symbolise the eight Catholic dioceses of Scotland (Aberdeen, Argyll and the isles, Dunkeld, Galloway, Glasgow, Motherwell, Paisley, St Andrew's and Edinburgh).

A good turnout of Justice and Peace activists, old and new, enjoyed refreshments afterwards, and took the opportunity to catch up with friends with whom they had worked over the last 40 years in the struggle for peace and justice.

Bishop Nolan said in a statement: The Catholic Church in Scotland has been blessed these past 40 years by having so many people committed to the work of Justice and Peace. The trees that we plant at the National Shrine in Carfin not only honour them and the work they have done, but as they grow the trees will remind us of the ever present urgency to show the same commitment and to pursue justice for all and peace in our world.

Read more about Justice and Peace Scotland here: www.justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk