www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News "Cardinal in ethnic row over 'Christian Scotland' remarks"

("The Scotsman," January 12, 2006)
Glasgow, Scotland - THE head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has caused controversy among non-Christian faiths by telling them that they needed to realise they live in a Christian country.

In comments described as "obnoxious", Cardinal Keith O'Brien said he "tolerated" people who lived differently, but added that he must "take a stand when Christianity itself is questioned in this country".

Full story Here [wwrn.org]

Unfortunately this is the same Cardinal O'Brien who last March, stated that he had no problem with active homosexuals teaching in Catholic schools.

Is he an ethnocentric homophile?

Maybe he's had a change of heart since his last comments on homosexuals teaching in Catholic schools.

Let's hear what Anhelyna has to say!

Logos Teen

Hehehehe

Actually I like his Eminence - he does have an unfortunate habit of speaking without thinking first from time to time - but he's very human and moves among his folk very easily.

The RC Church in Scotland does have it's problems - remember the RC Schools here are State Schools and now in some areas some of them have rolls which are over 90% Muslim .

This is really going to cause problems, as in Glasgow [ remember Keith Patrick, Cardinal O'Brien is St Andrews and Edinburgh ] , the Muslims are demanding that one of these schools is re-allocated to them .

His comments about <<take a stand when Christianity itself is questioned in this country". >> are just what I would expect from him.

Here we seem to be bending over backwards to avoid causing offence to those of other faiths - but sadly they do not seem to reciprocate.

Tolerance should be a two way thing

Anhelyna observed:



I agree, absolutely!

Amado

Anhelyna,

How many Muslims are there in Scotland?

I know there is a very large number to England, but just didn't think this would translate into Scotland. Are they mainly in the Lowlands, Glasgow, and Edinburgh?

Logos Teen

Scotland a Christian country? It may be more accurate to say it is a formerly Calvinist country [aside from some Catholic holdouts in the highlands, and the Irish immigrants].

Isn't Christianity on the wane in Scotland, and aren't the people contracepting themselves into extinction? Aren't the Muslims reproducing?
What do they expect?

-Daniel, some of whose ancestors came from the Isle of Skye

Garrett

I have to admit I have no real idea

Glasgow has several areas that are largely Muslim - if I say that in one area of the City - there is one RC School 99% Muslim . a Non Denominational School that is the same, another Non Denom that's about 95% plus 2 other RC Schools that are over 90% -and those are Primary [ 5-11] - now I would say you could safely say that at least another 2 areas are like it .

As for Secondary Schools [ 11- 18] the one I used to work in has a roll of 2000+ and I would say that's now at least 50% Muslim , Sikh etc. Other Non Denominational Secondaries in the same area are are about 75% Muslim/Hindu etc.

That area used to have some great shopping facilities - now it's wonderful if you want Asian Banks, food clothing etc.

I'll see if I can find some statistics.

If what Daniel says is true, it's something to be very sad about.

The Scottish culture is beautiful and intriguing. My grandmother and her family come from the Highlands somewhere northwest of Inverness as well as, I think, the Shetland Isles.

I'd hate to see their culture die out.

Logos Teen

The 19th century Protestant evangelist Dwight L Moody once said that there was no place he knew of on earth, where people know the scriptures better than they do in Scotland. Misquote scripture in Scotland said Moody, and a ten year old boy will correct you.

Great. This guy makes a borderline ethnocentric, or perhaps even overtly racist, statement and our problem is his position on homosexual teachers, Calvinism, a supposed decline in real Scotsmen and their culture and a supposed proliferation of community services and businesses which serve immigrant communities.

and so!

From the comments past at the end of the article by leaders of th islamic community the Cardinal has said nothing out of order. The only one making rash statements was a Hindu who made some grossly inacurate statements about how good it was for Christians in India and one or 2 other people of no apparent consequence. I suspect this is a media driven storm.

BTW - this Cardinal is now out in Darfur [ Sp ??] looking at problems there.

He does not believe in using any protection - he will be among the people as much as is possible - and if I know him cuddling the nearest baby too.

Keith Patrick O'Brien is a very very 'human' shepherd of his flock. I wish there were more like him.

Yeah, what a racist that Cardinal is... :rolleyes: