An independent Scotland would require its own papal nuncio, it emerged this week.
While the Scottish Church currently has its own hierarchy and bishops’ conference, the Pope appoints nuncios – who act as ambassadors – to the United Kingdom as a whole.
Nuncios are the Holy See’s official representatives to the countries in which they serve, while also being responsible for compiling shortlists of candidates to fill vacant dioceses.
The referendum on Scottish independence is set for Thursday, with polls indicating the outcome was too close to call following a late surge for a “yes” to independence supporters.
A spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland said that “if Scotland becomes independent, England and Wales, and Scotland, would [each] need a nuncio”, but he added: “This however would be a matter for the Holy See.”
Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the current nuncio to the United Kingdom, is based in Wimbledon, south-west London, although recently he has spent much of his time in Scotland as many Scottish dioceses need new bishops. He has also been helping to manage the crisis in the Church triggered by Cardinal Keith O’Brien’s early resignation following allegations of sexual misconduct.
Sir Tom Devine, the prominent Scottish historian and Catholic, agreed that, as a sovereign state, Scotland would need its own nuncio in the same way as Ireland does. He added that should independence occur there would be embassies from countries around the world in Edinburgh.
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