EUROPE/SCOTLAND - SCOTTISH BISHOPS MAKE 2004 YEAR OF "LIFE AND FAMILY"

Glasgow (Fides Service) - In a letter to all Catholics in Scotland made public on 15 December, Cardinal Keith O'Brien calls on them to support marriage and the family and to build "a culture of life" in Scotland, Peter Kearney, Director of the Catholic Media Office informs Fides Service.
The letter which will be read at all Masses in Scotland on the weekend of 27/28 December, Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, explains what steps Scotland's Catholic Bishops will be taking in 2004 towards achieving these goals. On 2 February 2004, a quarter of a million leaflets will be circulated throughout Scotland's Catholic parishes highlighting the Church's teaching and understanding of marriage and family life. On 31 May 2004, the Church in Scotland will celebrate a "Day for Life". A dedicated website together with leaflets, prayer cards and information packs will be sent to every Catholic parish and school in Scotland.
In his letter Cardinal O'Brien, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, commends the recent statement from the National Secretariat for the Laity which stated; “It is in the best interests of Scottish society, and is therefore a duty incumbent on all who are active in public life, to respect and foster family life. All legislative and fiscal policy must take account of the effect that it will have on this core institution of our society and ensure that it is strengthened and not undermined.” More information about Church in Scotland see www.scmo.org.

PS (Fides Service 17/12/2003 EM lines 20 Words: 257)