Welcome back. The first item of business is time for reflection. Our leader today is the Right Rev Dr Robert Gillies, bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney.
Each year on 16 April, we remember Magnus of Orkney, who was killed by the blow of an axe wielded at the instigation of his cousin Haakon in 1116. Rarely in mediaeval literature do we have such full accounts of what happened as we do for the life, untimely death and subsequent glorification of Magnus. In addition, his bones still exist. They have been authenticated and reburied in a pillar in Kirkwall’s great cathedral, the building of which began only 20 years after his death.
Political activism in those days, and with it the unfortunate consequences of political rivalry, could lead to martyrdom, which might then progress to sainthood. However, such a process had to be supported by local veneration from among those who had known the murdered individual. Evidence of miracles was also necessary; so too—let it not go unsaid—was the support of the local bishop.
Mercifully in our times, and in these islands, political rivalries rarely lead to axe blows on the head. Likewise, promotion to sainthood rarely, if ever, follows political demise—whether with or without the support of the local bishop. However, for many beyond our shores, extermination by opponents because of political, religious, societal or clan and tribal rivalries is a very real and everyday occurrence.
One has only to think of conflicts in any one of many countries and regions around the world to recognise the point that I am making. In those places, local people, whether leaders or just ordinary folk, are martyred for no reason other than being who they are, where they are, and believing what they hold dear.
Sadly, there are those who would wish brutality of that kind to be imported here, so we do well to stand by the martyrs of today and to challenge those who wield the axe and the assault rifle. We do well to protect our shores and defend the peace and liberty so hard won in and for our nation. By doing so, we increase the chance that evildoers, like Magnus’s cousin Haakon, will repent, as indeed he did.
That much at least we can learn from the tragic death of St Magnus, whose life lives on as we keep his faith and sacrifice in mind.
Before our next item of business, I want to make a few personal remarks about Tom McCabe who, as members are aware, passed away on Sunday.
Tom McCabe had a unique place in the Parliament. He was our first elected MSP and the Parliament’s first ever Minister for Parliament. Tom was a good, decent man and, like others from the first session, he has left us far too early. I know that members will join me in expressing our deep sorrow to his wife, Shuming, and to all his family.
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Business Motion