Page 7 - LOTN Summer Issue 50

DIOCESE
Bishop Hugh confers papal awards

Jo Martin, Marjory Booth, Bishop Hugh Gilbert and Michael McMillan
n the 3rd April at St Mary’s House in Aberdeen, Pontifice on account of her long and devoted service to the
the Bishop of Aberdeen Rt Rev Hugh Gilbert Diocese and wider Church, especially in the realm of Catholic
Oconferred papal awards from Pope Francis to three education. Arriving with the family in Aberdeen in 1991, she
long serving individuals. The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice began 30 years of teaching at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School
("For Church and Pope" in Latin) is a decoration of the until her retirement in June of last year.
Holy See. It is currently conferred for distinguished service Bishop Hugh stated, "Josephine became headteacher of
to the Catholic Church by lay people and clergy. St Peter’s School in 2007 and was held in high esteem by her
Following the presentation to Mrs Marjory Booth, made on colleagues and the local community. Her relationships with the
behalf of Pope Francis, Bishop Hugh Gilbert said,“It gives me pupils were warm and motherly. She is a woman of radiant faith
great pleasure to have conferred the award of a Cross Pro Ecclesia and commitment to the values of Catholic education, proving
et Pontifice to Mrs Marjory Booth of the Diocese of Aberdeen an invaluable support to other Catholic schools and teachers
on account of her long and devoted service to the Diocese in within the Diocese of Aberdeen. She richly deserves this papal
the realm of safeguarding within the Church. For 12 years, from award.”
November 2008 until April of this year, as a volunteer she has Bishop Hugh Gilbert also presented an award to Mr Michael
been the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor. She has fulfilled this McMillan, that of the Papal Knighthood of St Gregory the
delicate and demanding role in an outstanding way. Great. This honour is bestowed upon Catholic men and women
“Marjory has also contributed very effectively at the national (and sometimes in rare cases such as this, to non-Catholics) in
level, contributing to the development of national safeguarding recognition of their personal service to the Catholic Church.
standards and protocols and the normative safeguarding Mr Michael McMillan has provided and continues to provide
instruction shaping the practice of safeguarding within the valuable service to the Catholic Church as a legal advisor, not
church in Scotland, In God’s Image. She is widely and rightly least to the Bishops Conference of Scotland.
esteemed.” Bishop Hugh said:
Similarly, Bishop Hugh had great pleasure in presenting “Whilst not a Catholic, Michael has proven to be a loyal
Mrs Josephine Martin, the award of the Cross Pro Ecclesia et servant of the Church. Emeritus Archbishop Mario Conti
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