While in England and Wales communal worship continues, in Scotland, the churches are closed. Scotland’s Catholic bishops have condemned this as unfair; one parish priest argues that the bishops are wrong to ask for an exemption from the restrictions for Catholics

Matthew ends his story of the Epiphany with the powerful image of the Magi, taking seriously the warning they had received, deciding to return home by a different road. With our Epiphany celebrations concluded, we too find ourselves being warned about the potential calamity we face in this present health emergency if we do not change course.

Like the Magi, the Church here in Scotland as elsewhere has found it necessary to take a different road to arrive at the same destination – a deep union with the Father through Christ, in the Spirit. The closure of churches has in a surprising way revealed to us new ways of celebrating and living out our Catholic faith, contributing to the common good of all.

Thanks to social media we have had livestreamed Masses and prayer meetings, online group meetings and family chat rooms. In my own parish in South Lanarkshire in the diocese of Motherwell, I know this has led many to a deeper experience of God-in-Christ. And these media have enabled people to keep in touch with the Church both at parish and diocesan level.