Scottish Shopping Centre Reverses Crib Ban



Some great news! Further to Thistles Shopping Centre in Stirling banning a Christmas Nativity Scene so as not be seen as "promoting" a particular religion (as I reported here) the Centre released a statement today saying that they had changed their minds and would allow a representative from the Legion of Mary to set up a nativity scene as part of their Christmas decor.

“We’ve listened carefully to everyone who contacted us about the installation and have decided to reverse our original decision," it said.

"We have offered Mrs Patterson the opportunity to host a nativity scene at the centre this Sunday in line with her original request and we are delighted that she has accepted,” it continued.

Thistles Centre’s decision not to permit the display on the grounds that it “prides itself on being religiously and politically neutral” made national headlines and was covered on LifeSiteNews.

On Monday, Scottish Catholics John Mallon and Elena Feick turned up at the shopping centre dressed as St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mallon chatted with shoppers and discussed the “crib controversy” with them. A video of the dynamic duo “looking for a place at the inn” has been viewed thousands of times on social media: you can watch it by going to this blog post.

LifeSite reports that John Mallon is delighted by Thistles’ change of heart.

“It’s a Christmas miracle,” he told LifeSiteNews via social media. “What great news! The real reason for the season!”

Mallon has a message for Scottish readers, too.

“If you are shopping in Thistles Shopping centre this Advent, why not pay a visit to the Crib and share your picture with us to spread the peace and joy of the Christmas season to all, “ he suggested.

Mallon is an administrator of Glasgow’s Holy Family Roman Catholic Church Facebook page.

The post acknowledging this excellent change of heart states:
IT’S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!!!
Crib Controversy ends
Common sense has prevailed and the Thistles Shopping Centre in Stirling will now allow a crib to be displayed in their shopping centre as part of their wider Christmas displays.

“We’ve listened carefully to everyone who contacted us about the installation and have decided to reverse our original decision," said a statement by the Thistles Centre, 12 December.
"We have offered Mrs Patterson the opportunity to host a nativity scene at the centre this Sunday in line with her original request and we are delighted that she has accepted,” said the Thistles statement.
What great news! The real reason for the season! If you are shopping in Thistles Shopping centre this Advent, why not pay a visit to the Crib and share your picture with us to spread the peace and joy of the Christmas season to all.
The Scotsman has reported that the Archdiocese of St. Andrews & Edinburgh has likewise expressed great satisfaction that Thistles Centre has responded with “generosity and inclusivity” to Christians (not loving the language there but what can you do).

“The management of the Thistles Centre, along with owners Standard Life Investments, are to be commended and congratulated for listening to the general public and responding with such generosity and inclusivity, recognising that contemporary Scotland should be a place that both respects and upholds religious liberty in the public square,” an archdiocesan spokesman said.

“We wish the management, staff and shoppers at Thistles a very happy and very peaceful Christmas indeed.”

To thank Thistles Centre for reconsidering the nativity ban, please contact:

Management
Thistles Shopping Centre
Goosecroft Road
Stirling, UK
FK8 2EA

Tel: +44 178 640-0055
Fax +44 178 646-5443
Email: informationdesk@stirling-thistles.co.uk


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