CATHOLIC SEMINARIES IN SCOTLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 16, 3 February 1893, Page 20

CATHOLIC SEMINARIES IN SCOTLAND.

Thb following passage occurs in a pastoral recently iuued by the Bishop of Aberdeen :—: —

The history of seminaries in Scotland since the " reformation " reminds us very much of the difficulties and persecutions which tbe Church experienced in the same sacred cause during the early ages of Christianity. For a century and a half after the " reformation " it was a struggle for existence with both priests and laymen. The erection of Catholic schools was illegal and impossible. Colleges, however, were|founded in Rome, Paris, Donay, Valladolid, and Ratisbon, and it was there that Scottish youths were trained for missionary life and martyrdom in their native country.

The first eff jrt to found a seminary at home was due to the indefatigable Bishop James Gordon, in the year 1712. At that time tbe whole of Scotland formed one Vicariate Apostolic. Even before the above-mentioned date Bishop Goidon had tried to establish a school somewhere in the Tomintoul district But he finally cboße a more permanent cite at Scanl in, in ooe of the wildest and most remote glens on tbe estates of tbe Duke of Gordon. There in a hidden corner of the Braes of Glenlivit, walled in by high mountains, and pro* tected in front by a morass, tbe good bishop made an humble beginning in 1712. Between that date and the Insurrection in 1745 the college at Scanlan wssßeveral times visited by soldiers, and more than once the community had to fly to tht hills with their books and altar utensils. After the fatal battle of Culloden Scanlan was burnt to the ground. But it was soon after rebuilt on the same site by Bishop Alexander Smith in 1750

Towards the end of tbe eighteenth century the French Revolution broke oat, and the Scotch as well as the English students at Paris and Douay were dispersed, and forced to return to their native land* In England these events led to the foundation of colleges now represented by Ushaw, Old Hall, and Oscott. So also in Scotland the same cauße obliged the vicars apostolic to provide a larger and more accessible college for the increased number of students. Oxhill in the Enz c was first thought of as a suitable site. But finally Mi Leslie, of Balqubain, tbe representative of one of our most honoured families, came to Bishop Hay's assistance, la this way the farm of Aquhorties was acquired in 1797 on a long lease of 108 years. Here the Lowland College remained and prospered till the foundation of Blairs in 1829.

Meanwhile the bishops in the Highlands had not bean idle. The Highland district had been separated from the Lowland by Bishop James Gordon in 1731. Bishop Hugh M&cdonald, the first vicar apostolic of the new district, seems to have had tbe education of students very much at heart, for he made several attempts to found a seminary for the Highlands. It would seem that as early as 1705 a house had been built to serve as a seminary. Like so many of the Columban foundations of old, it was situated an a small island of Loch Morar. St Columba himself had bleßsed that lake ;itis to this day called St Colnmba's Well. All who dwell on its mountain sides have almost to a man clung to tbe old faith, and are a living proof of the efficacy of their apostle's blessing. Tbe island belonged to the Morar family, of which the Bishop himself was a member. It was there that tbe first Highland seminary was established in a number of small thatched houses. The Bishop himself appears to have studied there ; and after his consecration he certainly made it his Episcopal residence and seminary. After the battle of Culloden in 1745 the English eoldierj pillaged the island College and burnt the houces to the ground. Ths good Bishop with difficulty escaped to the mainland along with Lord Lovat, Soon after Bishop Macdonald's return from Fraocj in 1749 the seminary was re-opened at Buorblacb, which is situated near tha foot of Loch Morar, In 1770 a better house was provided for tbe Highland students at Samalanun in Moidart. Tbis house, which still stands, continued to serve as a seminary and bishop's residence till 1804. when both were transferred to the island of Lismore. Heie the students remained until the Highland and Lowland Seminaries were united together at Blairs in 1829.

The year 1829, memorable for the passing of tbe Emancipation Act, was signalised in Scotland by the opening at Blairs of a new college, to supply the wants of the whole Scottish Mission, This great step in advance was made possible by tbe noble generosity of Mr Menzies, of Pitfoddele, who, with Captain Mitchell and Bishop Hay, ranks as one of the greatest benefactors of tbe Church of Sootland. Amongst many other donations to religious purposes, Mr Menzies handed over during bis lifetime bis own mansion and estate of Blairs for the establishment of an Ecclesiastical Seminary. Within the walls of Blairs the Lowland and Highland students found a common home, and Blairs has remained ever since that date our national college. There for the last 60 years nearly all our clergy have received their early education.