The above photo was taken at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, Lourdes, during this year’s annual Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to mark the 150th. anniversary of the apparition of Our Blessed to St. Bernadette.
Cardinal O’Brien has been a wonderful friend to this parish and holds the three churches at Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge and Invergarry, with their parishioners, very much in his affection.
It was he who was the principal celebrant at Bishop Toal’s ordination, and he enhanced the whole liturgy by the manner he which he presided over the ceremony.
During the three years when he was our Apostolic Administrator, he became very attached to the diocese of Argyll and the Isles because of the friendship of both priests and people, and we looked on hjim as a trusted and loving shepherd who had all our interests at heart. During that period, he was responsible for his own large diocese and for our diocese, which covers a vast area of the west of Scotland and the Isles, yet he gave the impression, because of his personal commitment, and the amount of time and travelling involved, as if Argyll & the Isles was his only diocese.

I have sent the Cardinal the good wishes of our parish and parishioners assuring him of our support and prayers as he opposes nationally the moral contents of the human-embryology bill