Papal mace points to education’s true purpose, Scottish bishop says

Last updated on: December 4, 2014 at 7:28 am by CNA Daily News

Papal mace points to education’s true purpose, Scottish bishop says 2014-12-04T07:28:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Edinburgh, Scotland, Dec 4, 2014 / 12:28 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The presentation of a special Papal mace marking the 600th anniversary of Scotland’s oldest university is a reminder of the ultimate purpose of education – to know, love and serve God, said the local bishop.

“Western culture’s great endeavour through the universities founded in the Middle Ages was the pursuit of wisdom as defined as ‘fides quaerens intellectum’ or ‘faith seeking understanding’,” said Archbishop Leo Cushley of St. Andrews & Edinburgh.

“The world may have changed since then but always, somewhere deep down, there is still that sense of a quest for knowledge,” he said, adding that “crucially, it is not a quest for knowledge for its own sake but in order to know God, to love God and to serve God.”

The archbishop’s Nov. 30 comments followed the presentation of the new mace to the University of St. Andrews, which was formally constituted by Papal Bull in 1413, making it the first university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world.

“I think it’s a wonderful day, a wonderfully significant day for the life of the university and indeed our relations with the Catholic Church, we go back so long, so symbolic of our foundation,” said University Principal, Professor Louise Richardson, after receiving the Papal mace during a special St Andrew’s Day service.

Made of silver and gold, the Papal mace has been crafted by Edinburgh silversmiths Hamilton & Inches. Bearing the insignia of Pope Francis, it will be known simply as “The 600th Mace.”

“I suppose the Catholic Church’s attitude towards the medieval universities is that of a parent or grandparent,” said Archbishop Cushley.

“We look at them now from a certain distance, with a certain amount of independence and also we look upon them with some pride, perhaps mixed with a little natural anxiousness for their future but we wish them well knowing where they came from.”

The new mace also features an enamel and gold St Andrew’s cross motif at the top of the head. The lower section of its shaft carries the inscription: “From the Scottish Catholic Church in the Pontificate of Pope Francis to the University of St Andrews in celebration of its six centuries. St Andrew’s Day 2014.”

“The mace completes a triple recognition of the University St Andrews,” said Professor John Haldane of St. Andrews University, a Consultor to the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture, who initiated the Papal mace project.

“During his visit to Scotland at the outset of this decade Pope Benedict referred to the university beginning to mark the 600th anniversary of its foundation, then last year Pope Francis sent a message of congratulation and now his office has granted permission for the inclusion of his coat of arms on the head of a mace commissioned to mark the completion of several centuries and the beginning of who knows how many more.”

Europe

Previous Post

December 3, 2014

Manila declares five-day holiday for Pope Francis' upcoming visit

Next Post

December 4, 2014 For Holy Land youth, sports center to be ground for dialogue, peace

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In 1 Timothy, what does Paul say is a trustworthy saying?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners Faith without works is dead God is love The righteous will live by faith