The Catholic Heritage of Scotland

Since the Reformation, much of Scotland's Catholic past has been airbrushed out of existance. The result is that today mant people, including catholics, are totally unaware of what pre-Reformation Scotland was like. There is the perception that until the Reformation, Scotland was some kind of backward nation with people living in ignorance and squalor.

Last weekend in Turin was an eye opener. To see so much evidence of Catholicism on view, to see people without any pretensions naturally displaying their affection for their religion openly and without ridicule. As it once was here in Scotland.

Perhaps it is time now, with the forthcoming visit of Pope Benedict, for Catholics to rediscover the truth about pre-reformation Scotland.
We need to rediscover the tremendous work done by the Catholic Church in establishing the great Scottish Universities ;the agricultural and farming progress made throught the work of the Monasteries; the medical advances also made by monks in the monasteries;the architectural advances made and seen in the highly decorated and painted houses in towns such as St Andrews;the trade links that existed between Scotland and the rest of the world ;in Mary Queen of Scots, a catholic monarch who allowed freedom of conscience in worship...and see where that brought her.

I remember visiting St Andrews many years ago and coming across the work of the artist Jurek Putter. It was the first time that I came to realise what has been hidden following the reformation.
Jurek has completed many wonderful drawings of pre reformation Scotland, and it was always a delight to pop into his studio, where he was happy to discuss at length his knowledge of those times.

You will find information on Jurek in google and U tube.

I am sure that the Pope and the Catholic Church are in for a hard time when Benedict comes to visit. It will be the time for all true Catholics to stand up and be counted, and not to be dismayed or cowed by popular opinion.










For editions of Jurek Pütter's prints contact him at: 25 Tom Morris Drive, ST ANDREWS Fife KY16 8EW