I have had a lot of comment from people who saw Alasdair Allan MSP, apparently at the papal open-air mass. Should he have taken communion? Did he actually take communion? Is that against the rules of his church?
Alasdair Allan
Personally, I haven’t a clue. Religious matters, whether Presbyterian, Muslim or RC, do not really concern me nowadays. However, if these matters are a concern for other people in these islands then we should get clarification from the accountable public figure concerned.
I have asked Dr Allan for a statement but, in the meantime, if you have your own comments, for possible publication, please add them below. I will need your full name and telephone number for checking.
UPDATE – Monday am
The Western Isles MSP has denied local claims that he took communion at the papal mass in Glasgow last week. Alasdair Allan was responding after various comments were made following his appearance on TV, apparently with a priest’s hand on Mr Allan’s head.
Mr Allan, who is a member of the Church of Scotland, stressed he did not receive communion at the mass. He said he was invited as an MSP to attend and thought it reasonable to do so out of respect for his Catholic constituents. The non-Catholics in the crowd were blessed by priests rather than receive communion, he said.
In his statement, Mr Allan said he thought an island blogger who had initiated an online discussion would do well not to stir up religious animosities that do not exist in the islands. On Saturday, the MSP confirmed he would be attending church in Back as usual the following day.
What was he thinking. Why would anyone never mind a politician make such a public switch to another religion. I will probably still vote SNP.
If you had looked into the facts you would discover that he didn’t take communion. For all the non-catholics who attended the papal mass a blessing was offerred, not communion.
I am shocked and saddened at the negative comments posted regarding Dr. Alasdair Allan ,MSP attending the Papal Mass in Bellahouston Park. He did not take Holy Communion but, in company with the many non-catholics present, received a blessing from a priest. Alasdair has worked tirelessly on behalf of his constituents without regard to religious or political affiliations and always makes the supreme effort to represent and support them whenever possible. The question arises of whether the same vilification would have occurred or been tolerated should this have involved a Muslim Cleric?
Disgrace,he clearly did take mass! all of you need to read you’re bibles!! As a Protestant and a member no less of the church of Scotland, he should read his bible and know that it is morally wrong!! What else is he lying about? Sexuality? Religion? What next? I’m an SNP loyal but I’m not voting him back in after this, and I can’t believe the comment Is backing him up…he blatantly did it on tv so why are you saying he didn’t?!?! Rubbish he did blessing or not he did his religion wrong!!!