11/06/2026
The Saltire proudly flies during a breezy sail to Islay last year. I love the Scotland flag! I look forward to seeing it on Sunday morning at the World Cup, something I took for granted as a youth but increasingly doubted I would ever see again.
We have all been horrified at the recent violence and intimidation unleashed on migrants by masked hooligans who claim to be ‘defending’ their nation or community. Last night this happened in several Scottish cities and towns. A rich few rewrite the ‘truth’ on social media and/or through political sound bites. Assaulting people on the basis of their ethnicity is always wrong and is no way to solve any complex issue. Most Scottish Catholics are themselves immigrants or descended from immigrants. Our history alone should form our conscience, never mind the Gospel. Christians are called to be leaven for the world and we enrich our society by witnessing to the Gospel. As your bishop I ask you to please dialogue with those you hear encouraging any form of racism and sectarianism, including within your family or social circles. Listening and honest sharing is invaluable for growth.
Back to our national flag. I wonder if those who wish to hijack the Flag of St Andrew realise that St Andrew was a foreigner from the Middle East and that our flag’s central image recalls that he gave his life in a foreign land witnessing to Jesus Christ and the universality of God’s love, a beautiful reality we are all called to share in.
+Brian
