Lenny
11-30-2005, 05:06 AM
IS ROME'S AIM THE BREAK-UP OF THE UK?
Cardinal Thomas Winning, leader of Scotland's 750,000 Roman Catholics entered the debate on the future of the United Kingdom when he appeared to endorse Scottish nationalism. In a speech in Brussels he raised the prospect of full independence in 10 years' time, and described nationalism as "mature, respectful of democracy and international in outlook". The speech followed opinion poll evidence suggesting a threefold increase in support for independence among Catholics since 1974, and a promise by the Scottish National Party to retain separate denominational schools. Cardinal Winning said: "In Scotland in recent years there has been a growing realisation that our future as a nation is European. "Our culture, our laws, our language and literature, our trading links and our choice of holiday destination - all of these betray the very real, profound and unbreakable links, which bind Scotland to the old continent. "But at the same time as we witness a growth in European sensitivity, Scotland is seeing a re-emergence of nationalism. "To the outside observer such trends might seem contradictory. But I don't believe that to be the case. Nationhood within Europe seems to be the combination, which is proving attractive to growing numbers of our fellow citizens." Cardinal Winning said the church had not taken sides before the referendum on home rule, but he said he was "well pleased" with the Yes vote because devolution fitted with the Catholic principle of subsidiarity. He told his audience that Scottish nationalism had nothing in common with the "aggressive and violent nationalism" which had scarred the Balkans. "Nor does it mirror the loud-mouthed rhetoric of the Lega del Nord in Italy or the xenophobic propaganda of the National Front in France," he said. "Democrats can be reassured that the merging sense of nationhood and political nationalism in Scotland is unique in European terms. "It is mature, respectful of democracy and international in outlook. An old, yet new nation is taking its place once more on the world stage with its legal system, democratic institutions, respect for human rights, educational facilities and all the rest already in place." There was an increasing openness among young Scots to full independence "probably around 10 years from now". A spokesman for the church said Cardinal Winning's intention was not to endorse the SNP, but to reflect the mood of the nation. The church said the speech was apolitical. Alex Salmond, the SNP leader, said the speech was not party political, but was what the SNP would expect from a cardinal who was. "very Scottish and very European". Mr Salmond said: "It is clearly a very wise speech which recognises Scotland's strong and historic links with the rest of Europe, and seeks to place these in the context of a modern Scotland in a modern Europe." Scottish Labour said it had been assured by the church that the cardinal was simply reflecting the fact that nationalist support had increased in the polls. The title of the cardinal's speech, A new Scotland in the New Europe, was set for him several months ago when he was asked to deliver a quarterly lecture by the Commission of European Episcopal Conferences.
OVER A CENTURY AGO ANOTHER CARDINAL MANNING, TOLD A GREAT CONFERENCE OF ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS - "IT IS YOUR TASK, REVEREND FATHERS, TO BEND AND BREAK THE WILL OF AN IMPERIAL RACE - BRITAIN IS THE HEAD OF PROTESTANTISM. CONQUERED THERE IT IS PARALYSED WORLDWIDE."
http://www.1335.com/Romearch/rw0199.html
Cardinal Thomas Winning, leader of Scotland's 750,000 Roman Catholics entered the debate on the future of the United Kingdom when he appeared to endorse Scottish nationalism. In a speech in Brussels he raised the prospect of full independence in 10 years' time, and described nationalism as "mature, respectful of democracy and international in outlook". The speech followed opinion poll evidence suggesting a threefold increase in support for independence among Catholics since 1974, and a promise by the Scottish National Party to retain separate denominational schools. Cardinal Winning said: "In Scotland in recent years there has been a growing realisation that our future as a nation is European. "Our culture, our laws, our language and literature, our trading links and our choice of holiday destination - all of these betray the very real, profound and unbreakable links, which bind Scotland to the old continent. "But at the same time as we witness a growth in European sensitivity, Scotland is seeing a re-emergence of nationalism. "To the outside observer such trends might seem contradictory. But I don't believe that to be the case. Nationhood within Europe seems to be the combination, which is proving attractive to growing numbers of our fellow citizens." Cardinal Winning said the church had not taken sides before the referendum on home rule, but he said he was "well pleased" with the Yes vote because devolution fitted with the Catholic principle of subsidiarity. He told his audience that Scottish nationalism had nothing in common with the "aggressive and violent nationalism" which had scarred the Balkans. "Nor does it mirror the loud-mouthed rhetoric of the Lega del Nord in Italy or the xenophobic propaganda of the National Front in France," he said. "Democrats can be reassured that the merging sense of nationhood and political nationalism in Scotland is unique in European terms. "It is mature, respectful of democracy and international in outlook. An old, yet new nation is taking its place once more on the world stage with its legal system, democratic institutions, respect for human rights, educational facilities and all the rest already in place." There was an increasing openness among young Scots to full independence "probably around 10 years from now". A spokesman for the church said Cardinal Winning's intention was not to endorse the SNP, but to reflect the mood of the nation. The church said the speech was apolitical. Alex Salmond, the SNP leader, said the speech was not party political, but was what the SNP would expect from a cardinal who was. "very Scottish and very European". Mr Salmond said: "It is clearly a very wise speech which recognises Scotland's strong and historic links with the rest of Europe, and seeks to place these in the context of a modern Scotland in a modern Europe." Scottish Labour said it had been assured by the church that the cardinal was simply reflecting the fact that nationalist support had increased in the polls. The title of the cardinal's speech, A new Scotland in the New Europe, was set for him several months ago when he was asked to deliver a quarterly lecture by the Commission of European Episcopal Conferences.
OVER A CENTURY AGO ANOTHER CARDINAL MANNING, TOLD A GREAT CONFERENCE OF ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS - "IT IS YOUR TASK, REVEREND FATHERS, TO BEND AND BREAK THE WILL OF AN IMPERIAL RACE - BRITAIN IS THE HEAD OF PROTESTANTISM. CONQUERED THERE IT IS PARALYSED WORLDWIDE."
http://www.1335.com/Romearch/rw0199.html