SponPlague

From BBC News:

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has given his backing to independence north of the Border.
Cardinal Keith O'Brien said he would be "happy" if people in Scotland wanted separation and claimed independence would come "before too long".

In a newspaper interview, the cleric cited the success of smaller independent nations such as Ireland and Denmark to support his views.

He also voiced frustration with the current powers of Holyrood.

The 68-year-old's views have been welcomed by Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond.

In an interview with the Catholic Herald newspaper, Cardinal O'Brien said: "I would not get too involved in the politics of independence, but I am happy that, if it is the wish of the people, Scotland becomes an independent country.

"There is currently some frustration among the Scots about the say they have over what happens here, and that is part of what is pushing the independence movement.

"I can see this coming, perhaps not in the next few years, but before too long."

As the leader of a Scottish church, which is itself independent from England, he admitted it was difficult to argue for ecclesiastical but not political independence.


Multi-national identities are harder to express than national ones
Cardinal O'Brien

He also talked about the benefits other small countries have experienced since gaining independence.

"Ireland would be an example of a country which has prospered since achieving independence," he said.

"I am aware of a growing sense of nationhood and national identity in England, exhibited recently during the World Cup campaign and reflected in the increasing appearance of the St George's Cross at such sporting fixtures and other gatherings.

"Ultimately multi-national identities are harder to express than national ones."

He said widespread public opposition to the government's plans to replace the UK's Trident nuclear system "highlighted a deep sense of frustration among many Scots".

Mr Salmond said: "Scotland's Cardinal is a man of vision and stature.

"Obviously he avoids party politics but I am delighted that he has issued positive signals about independence and self-determination for the nation."

ryansoton

The SNP will milk this for all its worth.
I cant believe that the SNP want independence from Britain only to take them straight into the EU.

NOW THATS INDEPENDENCE!!!

Britannist

The last head of the Roman Catholic (RC) church in Scotland also made noises sympathetic to the 'Scottish Independence' movement (The Late Cardinal Winning).

I wish the Head fo the RC church in Scotland would - if he insists on discussing political matters - concentrate on asking the europhile Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) why it wants to give Scottish sovereignty (claimed back from Westminster) to the EU in Brussels.

The RC Head in Scotland should also be asking why the SNP, Liberal 'Democrats' and most Labour members of the Scottish Parliament back abortion.

The job of the RC Head in Scotland should be to keep out of politics and to pressurise these europhile politicians on their support for things that we in the RC church object to (such as abortion).

mkpdavies

Man are the people going to be ****** when they find out though.

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Britannist

I've got a good mind to write a letter of complaint to The Vatican about this man who Heads the RC church in Scotland if it's true that he has made these remarks. I'm quite sure he's bound by rules not to talk about constitutional matters.

Oliver

The old certainties in Scotland ( just as in England) have long since began to crumble.

In the past the Strathcyde region the Labour party was predominantly RC and Irish, New Labour has broken the tribal ways and thoughts.

The RC church in Scotland it seems is unashamedly touting itself to the Nationalists either to gain a new influence or to get Labour back into line or both.

Hopefully the old link with RCs Ireland & Labour have been broken and this will not amount to anything serious.

Worth keeping an eye on though!

organist

Why are you all so worried about it?

More importantly, for me, Scotland's biggest and richest businessman, Tom Farmer has come out in favour of Scottish independence, because like most people he can't see any coherent arguments as to why Scotland should remain in union with England. That

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...405019,00.html

is hugely significant. Never before has there been a debate in Scotland about independence like this before, and as someone who supports its, I'm greatly heartened by the majority opinion who seem to be favouring it too.

Scotland won't be independent for at least another 10-15 years yet, but we are far down that motorway, now. I mean surely even the most hardened unionists here can see with all the pressures pulling at the Union now, there is no way of fixing that short of dissolving the very union itself.

Oliver

What terms are the Scot's willing to offer to by us off so they can go their merry way.

We would just end up getting stabbed in the back again and again as that used to be the Scottish hobby before the Union.

organist

Just our fair share from the dissolution of the state, nothing more, nothing less. Our fair share of assets (as well as liabilities) - for example Scotland's "fair share" of the UK's nuclear weapons system is about £7.5bn (after all England will be the nuclear power and not Scotland, so we'd be due compensation in that department). Where assets and liabilities can be split equitably they can be, where not financial compensation to Scotland, would be in order - this is how it works - look up the Vienna Convention on the Succession of States - 1983, I believe. Then there is all the defence estate, government assets and liabilities and so on.

Absolute twaddle.

Oliver

Come ye back to Branxton with all your banners high!


Fill your organ pipes with concrete!