Plenary, 14 Nov 2001
Meeting date: Wednesday, November 14, 2001
Official Report
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Time for Reflection
To lead our time for reflection this afternoon we welcome Father Michael Bagan, parish priest of St Margaret of Scotland Roman Catholic church in Stirling.
Father Michael Bagan (Parish Priest of St Margaret of Scotland Roman Catholic Church, Stirling):
Good afternoon, members of the Scottish Parliament. I feel privileged to be here to lead your time for reflection. In our busy lives, pausing for reflection helps us to choose the way forward, no matter our personal creed or background.
Our diverse world has many causes for concern, and we must face that reality with courage and determination. Friday 16 November is the feast of St Margaret, Queen and patroness of Scotland; 30 November is the feast of St Andrew, patron of Scotland.
Let us focus on St Margaret. Scotland was one kingdom in name only when she arrived, and tribal feuds prevented true unity. Her future husband, Malcolm, frequently raided the north of England for territory and booty and for political reasons. The church was monastic. Isolation prevented progress.
Margaret was cultured and was filled with sensibility. She lived in a Scotland described as dull and colourless. As a listener and teacher, she had sympathy for her people, bringing changes in attitude and behaviour, giving them her time, and helping them feel worth while. Her faith in God brought hope through care and concern for all. Marriage to Malcolm began a process of change in his life and thinking. Warlike and wild, he soon became gentle, even refined. They found happiness in each other.
Margaret tells us that love is not just an emotion, but a decision of the mind. She was a happy mother of eight children. Perhaps happiness for her was found just a few short yards from this chamber, in Edinburgh Castle. She spent long periods in prayer, perhaps at St Margaret's well. Today, people from all over the world visit the little St Margaret's chapel.
Margaret was a patron saint of mothers and she is an example to all of us. She had genuine sympathy for the poor and worked tirelessly to ensure some basic education. She encouraged her husband and king to be aware of his people and their problems, to act justly, and especially to care for the poor and vulnerable. She taught Malcolm to respect the dignity of his office of king, while administering its authority with love and compassion.
We can learn much from St Margaret to ensure that our leadership continues to thrive among local, national and international concerns and worries, among conflicts and in crisis. Crucially, she encourages a vision of the true worth of each individual. Following that example could achieve much for the good of the people of Scotland and the world.
St Margaret died on 16 November 1093. Many would say that our Scottish history changed with St Margaret. We are the product of our history.
Let us pause for a moment in prayer.
Lord, you gave St Margaret, Queen of Scotland, a special love for the poor and concern for the well-being of all. Inspire and encourage us to remember the values of her life. Help us to imitate her principles in this chamber for the continued growth of Scotland in the society of today and of all our tomorrows.
Amen.
Before we start our business this afternoon, I would like members to acknowledge the hon Michael Polley, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Tasmania, and to welcome him to our Parliament this afternoon. [Applause.]
I inform members that tomorrow I am to fly to New York to speak at the annual dinner of the St Andrew Society. During my short visit I will also lay a wreath at ground zero on behalf of the Scottish Parliament and carry out other engagements. The two Deputy Presiding Officers have agreed to chair proceedings tomorrow. I trust that the chamber will grant me leave of absence.