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DIOCESE

posted on our diocesan website. accessible to the population we seek to serve. Special
Bishop Hugh has expressed his hope that the synod process consideration should be given as to how to provide
within our diocese should not end with the submission of formation for busy parents and teachers and also of how
this report to the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. Besides to provide ongoing formation for children and young
encouraging the desire for increased lay participation in the people. Finding ways for parishes to collaborate in youth
life of each local parish, he envisages gathering a group of ministry will benefit the young people of our diocese.
lay people from around the diocese, who, along with clergy • Rebuilding parish communities and reaching out to
and religious, will work to move forward suggestions which families must be a priority. Additional activities are
will benefit parishioners and all those we seek to serve in this not necessarily the answer, but building relationships is
diocese. essential. We must consider how to make the most of our
Particular areas to discuss and develop should include: contact with one another.
• Increasing our engagement in charitable works at the • Fostering lay involvement and influence in the life and
parish and diocesan levels. This should not be limited to ministry of the church. The needs of parishes and the
raising funds for other charities; it should also involve diocese must be considered as well as the level of expertise
contact with the people we seek to assiSt and commitment required for leadership and volunteer
• Working with other Christian denominations to start roles. Once those are identified, training opportunities
or reinstate ecumenical initiatives. This cannot remain and voluntary or paid work may be further discussed.
limited to prayer initiatives. Evangelical and charitable It is our hope to be seeing the fruit of its diocesan phase in
initiatives will allow us to give joint witness to the Gospel. the North of Scotland even long before this Synod closes in
• Reviewing and developing communication within the Rome in October next year.
diocese. This is essential for parishes in such a widespread
diocese. We must also promote a more positive presence Deacon Tony Schmitz, Diocesan Synod Team
of the Church in the press and social media.
• Formation opportunities should be made more widely

St Mary's, Blairs to close in September

he chapel of St Mary's College, Blairs, is to close.
The college was a junior seminary from 1829 to
T1986. Although the surrounding land and seminary
buildings were sold, the chapel has remained in use as a
place of worship.
Bishop Hugh Gilbert, the Bishop of Aberdeen and Chair of
the Blairs College Chapel Trust, said:
"The increasing difficulty of meeting the regular running costs
of St Mary's Chapel, Blairs, as well as the recent identification
of further significant problems within the fabric of the Chapel
has caused the Blairs College Chapel Trust to give careful
consideration to the long-term viability of the building. The
Trust, with the help of the parish and other sources, has worked
hard over many years to find funding and maintain the property
as a place of worship. Regrettably, however, rising running
costs, a diminished number of parishioners and a catalogue of
serious defects in the building brought to light by the recent
survey make it difficult to see how the Chapel can be sustained The interior of the chapel [Photograph by Stanley Howe]
for its present purposes. The estimated costs of rectifying the
current problems exceed £2,000,000, a figure beyond the means realities in play here. They can also offer the reassurance that
of the Trust and, indeed, of the Diocese of Aberdeen or other nearby parishes will be able to accommodate the needs of the
interested parties. parishioners without undue hardship.
"While the church has capacity for 250 to 300 people, currently "In order to allow time for any further considerations to
around 30 people attend Mass each Sunday, with only some 20 emerge, no final decision will be taken until 30 September
residing within the parish. Fortunately, St Mary's is located in 2022."
close proximity to the parishes of St Francis, Mannofield and The Blairs Museum, though located adjacent to St Mary's
Our Lady of Aberdeen, Kincorth, both of which are around a Chapel, is managed by the Scottish Catholic Heritage
15-minute drive away. (Collections) Trust and is legally separate from both the Chapel
"With these considerations in mind and after due consultation, and the Estate. It is their intention to relocate the Museum in
the Trustees have come to the view that the building will have the Central Belt of Scotland in order to increase the numbers
to close permanently. Given the beauty of the church and the of visitors.
historical connection with the former junior seminary, they are
fully aware of the sadness this will cause. However, the Trustees Source: Scottish Catholic Media Office
know that many will also understand the physical and financial
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