Cardinal criticizes Scottish society for 'blatant anti-Catholicism'

Published: 2006-11-28

LONDON (CNS) -- A Scottish cardinal criticized the "blatant anti-Catholicism" in his country after a study revealed that Catholics were five times more likely to become the victims of a religious hate crime than Protestants. Cardinal Keith O'Brien of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, president of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, said the findings of a Scottish government report were a "matter of grave concern." In a statement Nov. 27, the day the report was published, Cardinal O'Brien challenged the popular belief that most incidents occurred at either sectarian parades or at soccer matches between Glasgow Celtic, a team with a large Catholic fan base, and the Glasgow Rangers, which has a huge following among Protestants. He said the figures showed 70 percent of the cases between Jan. 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005, did not take place at soccer venues and that the violence was "deeper, wider and altogether more pervasive" than "drink-fueled post-match rivalry."

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .