Michael Brooks
Scotland has a long and complex religious history, with the Catholic Church contributing enormously to Scottish literature and culture over nearly a millennium. Outlawed by the Scottish Reformation Parliament in 1560, the Catholic Church has faced centuries of persecution and disenfranchisement in Scotland. Today, Scotland is a diverse country with a growing secular population. According to the 2022 census, 51.1% of Scots identified with 'None' in terms of religious affiliation. Of those with a religious affiliation, 38.8% identified as Christian, with 34.3% of Christians (13.3% of the total population) declaring affiliation with the Catholic Church. This makes Catholicism the second-largest religious group in Scotland, after the Church of Scotland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Scottish population identifying as Catholic in 2022 | 13.3% |
| Percentage of Scottish population identifying as Catholic in 2011 | 15.9% |
| Number of people identifying as Catholic in Scotland in 2022 | 850,000 (estimated) |
| Number of people identifying as Catholic in Scotland in 2011 | 850,000 (estimated) |
| Percentage of Christians in Scotland identifying as Catholic in 2022 | 34.3% |
| Percentage of Christians in Scotland identifying as Catholic in 2001 | 16% |
| Percentage of Scottish population with no religion in 2022 | 51.1% |
| Percentage of Scottish population with no religion in 2011 | 36.7% |
| Percentage of Scottish population with no religion in 2001 | 24% |
| Percentage of Scottish population that is ethnically Polish | 1.7% |
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What You'll Learn
Catholicism is the second-largest religious group in Scotland
Historically, the Catholic Church played a significant role in Scottish literature and culture for nearly a millennium before being outlawed by the Scottish Reformation Parliament in 1560. Despite this, Catholicism persisted in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and among Irish immigrants during the 19th century. Today, the Catholic Church remains an important presence in West Central Scotland and parts of the Highlands.
The decline in religious affiliation in Scotland has been accompanied by a sharp increase in secularism. In the 2022 census, 51.1% of Scots identified with "None" when asked about their religious affiliation. This trend is also reflected in the decline in membership of the Church of Scotland, which fell from 32.4% in 2011 to 20.4% in 2022.
The rise in secularism has been attributed to various factors, including economic hardship, the recent global pandemic, and disillusionment with institutions. Additionally, Scotland's increasing ethnic diversity, with a notable rise in Polish immigrants, has contributed to the changing religious landscape. While Catholicism remains the second-largest religious group, other religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism have also established a presence in Scotland, mainly through immigration and higher birth rates among ethnic minorities.
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The Catholic Church was outlawed in 1560
The Scottish Reformation of 1560, which saw the country officially adopt Protestantism and break with the Catholic Church, was a pivotal moment in Scotland's religious history. This event had far-reaching consequences and effectively made the Catholic Church illegal in Scotland.
The Scottish Parliament passed three key acts in 1560: the First Book of Discipline, the Confession of Faith, and the Book of Common Order. These established the new Protestant religion and ended the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church in Scotland. The Confession of Faith, written by John Knox, a leading Protestant reformer, denied the key tenets of Catholicism, such as the authority of the Pope, transubstantiation, and the existence of purgatory. With these acts, the Scottish Church was brought under state control, and the monarch became the head of the church, mirroring developments in England under Henry VIII and Edward VI.
This marked a significant shift in Scotland's religious landscape. Prior to the Reformation, Scotland had a strong Catholic tradition, with a network of monasteries, abbeys, and parishes. The Church owned vast tracts of land and played a central role in daily life, from birth and marriage rituals to death and burial. With the outlawing of Catholicism, this all changed. Monasteries were dissolved, Catholic masses were banned, and the celebration of Catholic sacraments became illegal.
The Reformation also had a profound impact on Scotland's education system. The Church had previously been the main provider of education, with monastic schools and the universities of St Andrews, Glasgow, and Aberdeen all offering a Catholic education. Following the Reformation, these institutions were either closed or reformed to provide a Protestant education. A new system of parish schools was also established to ensure that all children received a basic education with a Protestant foundation.
The outlawing of the Catholic Church in Scotland led to a period of religious conflict and persecution. Those who continued to practice Catholicism risked fines, imprisonment, and even death. Despite this, a significant minority of Scots, particularly in the Highlands and certain areas of the central belt, remained loyal to the Catholic faith, and it continued to exert influence in certain pockets of the country. This would lead to a long history of religious tension and divide in Scotland, with Catholicism remaining a minority faith, but one that has nonetheless made a significant contribution to the country's cultural and religious landscape.
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Sectarian violence between pro- and anti-Catholic gangs
A Google search shows that as of 2021, around 15.9% of the Scottish population identified as Catholic, with the majority (53.6%) adhering to other Christian denominations or no religion. However, despite being a religious minority, Catholicism has had a significant influence on Scottish culture and history, and unfortunately, this has included a history of sectarian violence.
The violence often stems from historical religious and political divisions, with some gangs claiming to be protecting their community or faith. However, the reality is that these gangs are often simply looking for an excuse to engage in violent behavior and create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. The actions of these gangs have included assault, vandalism, and the display of offensive and sectarian slogans and symbols. In some cases, they have also been involved in drug-related crimes and other serious offenses.
Over the years, there have been numerous attempts to tackle this issue, including increased police presence at football matches and in known gang hotspots, as well as initiatives to engage and divert young people away from gang culture. In recent years, the Old Firm Alliance, a group of Celtic and Rangers fans, has come together to promote harmony and mutual respect, showing that the two clubs' supporters can unite against sectarianism and gang violence. While progress has been made, sectarian violence still flares up, and the issue remains a complex and ongoing challenge for Scottish society and authorities.
It is important to note that the majority of people in Scotland, regardless of religious affiliation, condemn this type of gang violence. The actions of these gangs do not represent the views or behaviors of the wider community, and efforts to eradicate this type of behavior continue to be a priority for many.
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Catholicism is especially important in West Central Scotland
Catholicism has a long and complex history in Scotland, and while it is not the dominant religion in the country, it holds particular significance in specific regions, notably West Central Scotland and parts of the Highlands.
Historically, Scotland's religious landscape was predominantly Celtic Christian, with the Picts, Anglo-Saxons, and Gaels being converted by Irish missionaries like St. Columba during the 5th to 7th centuries. The Catholic Church, as part of the worldwide Catholic community led by the Pope, was once firmly established in Scotland for nearly a millennium, deeply influencing Scottish literature and culture. However, in 1560, the Scottish Reformation Parliament outlawed the Catholic Church, leading to centuries of religious persecution and forcing the Catholic clergy underground.
Despite the outlawing of Catholicism, the faith persisted, particularly in certain regions. West Central Scotland, encompassing the Central Belt council areas near Glasgow, has a significant Catholic population. This presence is partly due to historical immigration patterns. During the 19th century, Irish immigrants and Scottish Gaelic-speaking migrants from the Highlands and Islands moved to Scotland's cities and industrial towns, including Glasgow, during events like the Highland Clearances and famines. This influx of Catholics contributed to the expansion of Catholicism in these urban centres.
In addition to immigration, the persistence of Catholicism in West Central Scotland can also be attributed to the region's historical resistance to religious reforms. The area witnessed violent clashes between pro- and anti-Catholic Glasgow razor gangs during the early 20th century, reflecting deep-seated religious divisions. The Church of Scotland itself produced a report in 1923, accusing the largely immigrant Catholic population of subverting Presbyterian values.
Today, West Central Scotland continues to have a relatively high concentration of Catholics. According to the 2011 census, Catholics comprised 15.9% of Scotland's overall population, and they outnumbered adherents of the Church of Scotland in several council areas, including Glasgow City. The 2019 Scottish Household Survey reported a slight decrease, with 13% of Scottish adults identifying as Catholic. While Scotland has seen a general decline in religious affiliation, with a majority now identifying as having no religion, the Catholic Church remains an important cultural and communal force in West Central Scotland.
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Scottish Catholics are often of Irish, Italian, or Eastern European descent
According to the 2022 census, 51.1% of Scots identified with no religion, making it the largest category of belief in Scotland. 38.8% identified as Christian, with the majority declaring affiliation with the Church of Scotland (52.5% of Christians; 20.4% of the total population) and the Catholic Church (34.3% of Christians; 13.3% of the total population). The Catholic Church in Scotland is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, led by the Pope.
Scottish Catholics are often of Irish descent. Many Scottish Roman Catholics in the heavily populated Lowlands are descendants of Irish immigrants and Scottish Gaelic-speaking migrants from the Highlands and Islands. They moved into Scotland's cities and industrial towns during the 19th century, especially during the Highland Clearances, the Highland Potato Famine, and the similar famine in Ireland. The two most Catholic parts of Scotland are the southernmost islands of the Western Isles, populated by Gaelic-speaking Scots, and the eastern suburbs of Glasgow, populated by descendants of Irish Catholic immigrants. Sectarian violence between pro- and anti-Catholic Glasgow razor gangs in the 1930s had a profound effect on Scotland, leading to higher policing costs and discussions of banning religious processions.
In addition to Irish immigrants, Scottish Catholics also include those of Italian, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, and Polish descent. The post-World War II arrival of Ukrainian displaced persons resulted in the founding of the first Scottish parish of the Eastern Catholic Churches in 1965: St Andrew's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Leith, Edinburgh. More recent immigrants from Eastern Europe have further boosted the numbers of Scottish Catholics.
Scotland's minority ethnic population has been increasing, jumping from 4.5% in 2001 to 12.9% in 2022. The increase in Scotland's population has been driven by a rise in people born outside the country, including those from Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe.
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Frequently asked questions
13.3% of Scots identified as Catholic in the 2022 census.
It's hard to say exactly, but based on the 2022 census data, 13.3% of Scotland's population of 5.5 million would be around 731,500 people.
The percentage of Scots identifying as Catholic has decreased over time. In 2011, 16% of Scots identified as Catholic, and in 2009, it was estimated that there were around 850,000 Catholics in Scotland.
There could be several reasons for the decline, including economic hardship, the recent global pandemic, and major wars. Additionally, Scotland has become more ethnically diverse, with an increase in minority religious groups.
Catholicism is especially important in West Central Scotland and parts of the Highlands. In the 2022 census, Inverclyde had the highest percentage of Roman Catholics at 33.4%. Other areas with a high percentage of Catholics include Barra, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, and Moidart.
