Archbishop’s visit to ’traumatised’ Holy Land

Archbishop’s visit to ’traumatised’ Holy Land

By Ronnie Convery

Archbishop Nolan has spoken of his emotional return to the Holy Land following the ceasefire at the end of last year.

Glasgow’s Catholic leader was part of a delegation of bishops from round the world who took part in a fact finding and solidarity mission last month, visiting communities living with the tensions and hardships of the ongoing tensions in the area.

The theme for the visit, inspired by the Church’s recent Jubilee Year, was: ‘A Land of Promise: Encounter and Dialogue with People of Hope’.

The Archbishop said: “What inspires me whenever I come are the people that I meet who are so engaged in justice and peace and who continually point out the humanity in the other side and seek justice. Not only are they brave, they’re persistent, and they keep at it, year in and year out. So that really inspires me.”

Reflecting on some of the changes that he has seen in his visits to the Holy Land over the past decade, Archbishop Nolan noted the undeniable worsening of the political situation.

Pain

“The situation always get worse. We’re now in a situation where after years of conflict and because of the recent wars, everyone is traumatised – so traumatised that they feel their own pain, but they’re not able to even see the pain in the other side.

“We’ll never make any peace or progress with peace until people start to appreciate that the other side is hurting as well and recognise the humanity of the other side.

“Over these years the international community has been promoting a two-state solution. But now it’s pretty obvious that the Israeli Government doesn’t want a two state solution so that leaves us in a big dilemma. If there is no two-state solution what is the solution?

“The basic underlying problem is the occupation. The Palestinians are living under military occupation. Unless we recognize that there are two peoples – Israeli and Palestinians – who both have the right to live in this land, then peace is still a long way off.”

The Archbishop paid tribute to religious sisters working in the traumatised territories. “They are doing so much work in caring for people. Providing care and education, looking after disabled people – working quietly in the background for the wider community.”

But he urged people never to give up hope.

“I was very encouraged by our meeting with the Patriarch, Cardinal Pizzaballa and his predecessor. They expressed great hope and reminded us that we have to put our trust in God. Despite the difficulties the Church presence is everywhere. The Church is a great instrument here in bringing communities together.

“There is hope because people want peace – no matter what side they are on. But until they start trusting each other and recognising each other’s humanity there will be no peace.”

Archbishop Nolan was joined by colleagues from England and Wales, Italy, Germany, the Nordic countries, Ireland, France, the United States, Scotland, Canada, and Spain and representatives of Catholic organisations including Justice & Peace Scotland’s Anne-Marie Clements.

Their busy programme included a visit to the Comboni Sisters to see their work among Bedouin communities; a meeting with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and an online meeting with Fr Gabriel Romanelli, who visited Glasgow – the parish priest serving the small Catholic community in Gaza.

Further meetings took place with Rabbis for Human Rights, the John Paul II Foundation, which focuses on human and community advancement, the Ephpheta Paul VI Institute in Bethlehem, which provides rehabilitation and education for deaf children, and the Taybeh Elderly Home.

The delegation also met a joint Israeli–Palestinian organisation of more than 800 bereaved families, all of whom have lost an immediate family member to the ongoing conflict.

The bishops celebrated Mass with the parishioners of Christ the Redeemer in Taybeh, spending the day in the village to listen, to share life, and to hear directly of the challenges faced by its people.

Bringing hope to troubled youth

The fruit of decades of the Church’s care for young people facing difficult circumstances, St Mary’s Kenmure is a secure residential care centre in Bishopbriggs for children sentenced by the Courts and referred from Children’s Hearings.

As part of CORA Foundation – a body of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland - the centre provides a vital life-line to vulnerable children, some of whom have committed serious crimes, when they have hit rock bottom.

The centre’s highly trained and professional staff ensure the facility is safe and secure, but also provides a strong focus on the development and wellbeing of those in its care.

Homing a maximum of 24 children at any one time, the staff of St Mary’s – including teachers, therapists, care staff and other specialists – provide secure care 24 hours a day.

The centre’s Director, John Ryan, joined St Mary’s Kenmure 18 months ago and following a poor report by the Care Inspectorate in the first three months of his time, the centre’s dedicated team has been making consistent improvements since. John has worked in social care with children for four decades and believes St Mary’s Kenmure is a special place.

“Something special happens behind these walls – our young people, their families, our staff and community come together to be part of stories of hope”, says John.

Liberty

“Depriving a child of their liberty is one of the most serious decisions society can make, and it is vital that any service providing care for these young people does so with compassion, expertise, and purpose.

“I’ve been privileged to see first-hand the lifeline that St Mary’s Kenmure provides for children and their families, especially at a time that they need it most.”

Many of the children and their families are from very disadvantaged backgrounds, their lives often blighted by poverty, alcohol, drugs, trauma and poor mental health.

As well as providing secure care, there’s a deeper level to the centre’s work which people might not see or appreciate. St Mary’s counsellors and psychologists work to help the children understand much more about themselves, what they have done, and why they are living in the centre.

Even though most children only stay at the centre for three to twelve months, the aim is to help them progress mentally and emotionally. This is a vital part of the lifeline St Mary’s offers as it helps the children develop sufficiently so they can ideally be moved to a more open residential environment, and gain the skills they need to cope with life after care.

As well as looking at the deep emotional issues affecting those who are sent to St Mary’s, the centre provides practical support through education. There’s a school onsite, with classes covering the full Scottish curriculum so the children can gain qualifications and learn new skills to help them lead more responsible and productive lives when they leave.

“We have school open days twice a year,” shares John, “and it’s amazing to see the children’s parents sitting in the audience bursting with pride when their child’s name is called out inviting them up to receive an award for their academic achievements. Such happy milestones are often a first for many of our children and their families.

“What also impresses me is the commitment of our staff who work with the children. As well as looking after them professionally, they care deeply for them as children, when many others might have already given up.

“Think about that – giving up on children at a time when they need the most love and understanding. It should never happen.”

The mission of the Church – to forgive those who have trespassed and care for the vulnerable – is at the core of St Mary’s Kenmure work.

“Our values are at the heart of what we do – providing a nurturing experience, stability and connection,” concludes John. “It really is a place where real people are doing real things that build warm, loving and compassionate relationships which we all know we all need to life well and thrive.”

For more information visit www.stmaryskenmure.org.uk

‘Even in moments of deep pain we are not alone’

By Brian Swanson

A Glasgow priest whose three brothers died in a tower block blaze in his native Nigeria told mourners at their funeral: “It is still unbelievable, but I cannot question God.”

Father William Omatu, 44, assistant priest at St Helen’s Langside, was preparing for Mass when he was given the devastating news that his brothers Stephen, 40, Casmir, 39 and Collins, 37 (right), were among eight victims who died after being trapped inside a 25-storey building in Lagos before it partially collapsed in a fire.

A fourth brother Camillus managed to escape.

As Father William, who arrived in the Archdiocese just over two years ago, prepared to fly home, shocked parishioners gathered at a Mass for the family celebrated by Archbishop Nolan who also announced a fund-raising appeal.

Within days £23,000 was donated for the much-loved cleric with that figure expected to rise over the coming weeks.

Father Benneth Onyebuchukwu, parish priest at St Helen’s, said: “The news received after the fire on Christmas Eve was truly devastating and heartbreaking.

“Father William and his family are facing immense grief and sorrow and I ask people to please continue to keep him and his family in their prayers, as they begin to process and come to terms with this profound loss.”

Speaking at his brother’s funeral, which took place in their home state of Anambra in south east Nigeria, about 350 miles from the capital Lagos, Father William who was one of the officiating priests said: “It is unbelievable that three of my young brothers, whom I was proud of, and who brought me joy whenever I saw them, are gone.”

“It is like a dream – a nightmare.

”But when I look at my family, I am strengthened, and when I see the love of our Church members, I am encouraged.

“Keep praying for me. I am not strong; I am feeble. So I would ask you humbly to keep praying for me and all who died that day.”

It emerged that his businessmen brothers Stephen, 40, survived by his wife and three children, Casmir, 39, whose wife is pregnant and Collins, 37, who was single, perished when they tried to recover stock as fire swept through the tower block.

It is not yet known when Father William will return to the Archdiocese but in just two years he became a much loved figure particularly by parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes, Cardonald and St Helen’s, Langside, where he served as an assistant priest.

As news of the tragedy unfolded he received countless messages of support on social media both from parishioners who knew him well and others those who simply wanted to stand in faith with him.

Pope announces Franciscan Jubilee

By Ronnie Convery

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a Franciscan Holy Year to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death.

And for the first time in history, later this month the mortal remains of Saint Francis will be placed on public display,

From 22 February to 22 March 2026, pilgrims from around the world will be able to venerate the remains at the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi (above), where he is buried.

The unprecedented event forms part of the Jubilee celebrations honoring the saint whose witness of poverty, peace, fraternity, and love for creation continues to inspire millions.

With the approval of the Vatican, the remains will be moved from his tomb, located in the crypt of the Franciscan Basilica, and placed at the foot of the papal altar in the lower church to allow the faithful time for prayer and reflection.

The initiative has achieved an extraordinary milestone already with 250,000 reservations from pilgrims from every corner of the world.

To mark the anniversary of St Francis, Pope Leo XIV also addressed a letter to the Franciscan order in which he emphasised that “in this era, marked by so many seemingly endless wars, by internal and social divisions that create distrust and fear, he continues to speak. Not because he offers technical solutions, but because his life points to the authentic source of peace.”

During the year, which will run until January 2027, a special indulgence will be available under the usual conditions by making a pilgrimage to any Franciscan church or place of worship dedicated to St Francis anywhere in the world.

For details of the celebrations and how to visit the relics see https://sanfrancescovive.org/en/home/