The Catholic voice in Scotland is silent and, as such has become irrelevant in the affairs of the nation, says Herald columnist Kevin McKenna

In the course of my two interviews with Professor Sir Tom Devine last month, the great historian shared his thoughts on a multitude of issues. His assertion that modern Scotland is reduced by the fading influence of the Church of Scotland surprised some. Here was one of Scotland’s most influential (and still practising) Roman Catholics expressing dismay that the great, reformed Church of Scotland’s signal virtues and charisms no longer held much sway in the affairs of the nation.

Predictably, this elicited a scornful response from those who would seek to eradicate all vestige of Christianity from the life of the nation. Many of these people are otherwise eager to proclaim ‘One Scotland, many cultures’, just so long as it doesn’t include anything specifically to do with Christianity.

“The Presbyterian history of Scotland since just after the Reformation and especially in the absence of a parliament, has been the main sociological and cultural factor in shaping modern Scotland,” he said. “Its values are rooted in self-help; anti-materialism; an honest work ethic and recoiling from ostentatious displays of wealth. The Kirk was the biggest influence in shaping our values and so it follows that its collapse has caused those national attributes and characteristics that once defined us to recede.”

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At no point in our discussion did the current state of the Catholic Church in Scotland arise. Simply put: the Catholic voice in Scotland is silent and, as such has become irrelevant in the affairs of the nation. While its leaders continue to........

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