Michael Brooks
Scotland officially stopped being a Catholic country in 1560 following the Scottish Reformation, when the Scottish Parliament renounced the Pope's authority and established the Protestant Church of Scotland. This was part of the wider 16th-century Protestant Reformation in Europe. While this transition made Scotland a predominantly Protestant country, Catholicism did not disappear and has persisted as a significant presence, especially in certain regions like West Central Scotland and parts of the Highlands. The Catholic Church continued to function despite facing periods of persecution and remained the second-largest Christian denomination in Scotland as of the 2011 census, with 16% of the population identifying as Catholic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Scotland stopped being a Catholic country | 1560 |
| Event that led to the shift | Scottish Reformation |
| Result of the event | Scotland became a Protestant country |
| Current status of Catholicism in Scotland | Second-largest Christian denomination |
| Percentage of Catholics in Scotland as of 2023 | 15.9% (676,000) |
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What You'll Learn
The Scottish Reformation
Christianity first arrived in Scotland during the Roman occupation of Britain and was strengthened by the conversion of the Picts through the Hiberno-Scottish mission and Iona Abbey. By the time of the Reformation in the mid-16th century, the Catholic Church had been firmly established in Scotland for nearly a millennium and contributed enormously to Scottish literature and culture. However, the seeds of the Scottish Reformation were sown in the early 16th century with the circulation of Martin Luther's reform ideas, which had begun to appear in Scotland via merchants and trading vessels from the Low Countries and the Baltic states. These ideas were further propagated by Scottish scholars who had studied on the Continent and at English universities, bringing the new ideas of Renaissance humanism and calls for ecclesiastical renewal back to Scotland.
In the 1530s, King Henry VIII of England severed ties with the Catholic Church, and his subsequent attacks on Scotland, known as the 'rough wooings', were aimed at securing a dynastic marriage with Mary, Queen of Scots. During this time, Protestantism began to gain a foothold in Scotland, with the English distributing Bibles and Protestant literature in the Lowlands. In 1543, the reading of vernacular Bibles was authorised, and cartloads of them were brought in to disseminate Protestantism among those who could read. Secret Protestant churches, known as 'privy kirks', began to spring up, and the Scottish Reformation began to take shape.
The return of John Knox to Scotland in 1560 was a pivotal moment in the Reformation. Knox, influenced by Calvin's Protestant Geneva, was determined to fight for a Scottish Protestant Reformation. Through his writings and preaching, he rallied influential nobles and powerful sections of Scottish society to the Protestant cause. In the same year, a group of Scottish nobles known as the Lords of the Congregation gained control of the government and passed legislation establishing a Protestant creed and rejecting Papal supremacy. This marked the official break with the Catholic Church, and the Scottish Reformation Parliament outlawed Catholicism in Scotland.
Despite the success of the Reformation, there were still Catholics in Scotland, and multiple uprisings sought to reestablish Catholicism. The Scottish Catholic Church suffered religious persecution and disenfranchisement for nearly three centuries, from 1560 to 1829. It was only in 1829, with Catholic emancipation, that Scottish Catholics regained their freedom of religion and civil rights.
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The Scottish Parliament renounces the Pope
Scotland officially stopped being a Catholic country in 1560, when the Scottish Reformation Parliament, led by a group of nobles known as the Lords of the Congregation, renounced the Pope's authority and established Protestantism as the country's dominant religion. This event marked a pivotal moment in Scottish history, but it is important to understand that it was not a sudden shift, and Catholicism did not disappear from Scotland entirely.
In the years leading up to the Scottish Reformation, there was a growing discontent with the Catholic Church in Scotland, influenced by the wider Protestant Reformation sweeping across Europe. Scottish scholars and religious leaders were exposed to the teachings of Protestant reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin, and began to call for reform within the Scottish Church. Additionally, there was resentment towards the perceived corruption and wealth of the Catholic Church.
The Scottish Reformation Parliament of 1560 passed legislation that established a Protestant creed and rejected Papal supremacy. This was a crucial act that legally transformed Scotland into a Protestant nation. The declaration that the mass was illegal had a significant impact on public life, changing many traditional practices. However, it is important to note that this did not lead to the complete erasure of Catholicism in Scotland.
Catholicism persisted in Scotland, particularly in certain regions like West Central Scotland and parts of the Highlands. It faced periods of persecution following the Reformation, but it also experienced times of greater tolerance. The history of Catholicism in Scotland after the Reformation is one of persistence and re-emergence. Even today, the Catholic Church continues to play an important role in the nation's religious landscape, with a significant number of adherents.
The Scottish Reformation led to major changes in Scottish education, art, and religious practice. It resulted in the establishment of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, which adopted a Calvinist doctrine and a Presbyterian structure under the direction of John Knox. The Kirk itself became a source of national pride, and many Scots saw their country as a new Israel. While Scotland had officially become a Protestant nation, the complex shift in power and the religious landscape ensured that Catholicism remained a presence in the country.
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Catholicism outlawed in 1560
The Catholic Church was outlawed in Scotland in 1560. This event was part of the Scottish Reformation, which was influenced by the teachings of the Protestant reformer, Martin Luther. In 1560, a group of Scottish nobles known as the Lords of the Congregation took control of the government. They passed legislation establishing a Protestant creed and rejecting Papal supremacy. This marked a significant shift in Scotland's religious landscape, as the country broke away from the Catholic Church and established the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, often referred to as "The Kirk".
The Scottish Reformation led to the outlawing of Catholic practices and the suppression of monasteries and religious orders. It also resulted in iconoclasm and book burnings at monastic libraries, which have been criticised as the destruction of Scotland's cultural heritage. The offering or attending of Mass became illegal, and the country's religious landscape underwent a transformation. The Kirk became a symbol of national pride for many Scots, who saw their country as a new Israel and embraced a Calvinist doctrine.
The Scottish Reformation was influenced by the earlier English and Irish Reformations launched by King Henry VIII, which had also resulted in a break from the Catholic Church. The Act of Supremacy in 1534 declared the English crown as the supreme head of the Church in England, replacing the Pope. This set the tone for the Scottish Reformation, which was led by John Knox and resulted in the abolition of Catholic ecclesiastical structures in Scotland.
The outlawing of Catholicism in Scotland had long-lasting impacts. Despite multiple uprisings, Catholicism remained outlawed for nearly three centuries, from 1560 to 1829. During this period, many students for the priesthood either went abroad to study or remained in Scotland and attended illegal seminaries. The illegal status of the Catholic Church and the persecution it faced led to a significant decline in the number of Catholic laity.
It wasn't until the 19th century, with Catholic Emancipation in 1829, that Catholics in Scotland regained freedom of religion and civil rights. The restoration of the Church hierarchy in 1878 further contributed to the rebuilding of the Catholic Church's presence in Scotland. However, anti-Catholic sentiments persisted, and significant discrimination against Catholics continued in various sectors of Scottish society well into the 20th century.
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Catholic emancipation in 1829
The process of Scotland's transition from a predominantly Catholic country to one that was largely Protestant occurred over an extended period and was influenced by various political, religious, and social factors. While there wasn't a singular event that marked the end of Catholicism as the dominant faith in Scotland, one key turning point in the religious landscape of not just Scotland, but also England and Ireland, was the Catholic Emancipation in 1829.
Catholic Emancipation was the process of granting Roman Catholics in Great Britain and Ireland the same civil rights as Protestants, removing the many restrictions that had been placed on them in the centuries following the Reformation. Before this emancipation, Catholics in Scotland faced significant legal and social disadvantages. They were barred from holding public office, serving in the military, or attending universities, among other restrictions. These discriminatory laws were enacted following the Reformation, which saw the Scottish church break away from the Catholic Church and establish a Presbyterian system, becoming the dominant faith in the country.
The turning point for Catholic rights came with the Catholic Relief Act of 1778, which removed some of the more severe penalties and allowed Catholics to purchase land and join the army. However, it was the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829, often referred to as the Catholic Emancipation Act, that truly transformed the situation. This act was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom under the leadership of Prime Minister Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, and granted almost full civil rights to Roman Catholics in Great Britain and Ireland.
The Act itself had a profound impact on the religious landscape of Scotland. It allowed Catholics to sit in Parliament, ending their exclusion from a key aspect of public life, and also permitted them to hold public offices and serve as judges, magistrates, and lords lieutenant. Additionally, the Act removed the requirement for Catholic priests to register with the government, allowing for greater freedom in the practice of their faith. These changes signaled a significant shift towards religious tolerance and away from the previous era of state-sanctioned religious discrimination.
The passage of the Catholic Emancipation Act was not without controversy, however. It faced opposition from some Protestants who feared giving Catholics equal rights, and there were even riots in some Scottish cities, including Glasgow, in response to the Act. Nonetheless, the Act represented a major step towards religious freedom and away from the religious persecution that had characterized much of Scotland's history. The Act also had implications for the relationship between church and state, as it contributed to a growing trend of separating religious and civil authority, a key aspect of modern secularism.
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Catholicism persists in Scotland
Scotland has a long and complex religious history. The country shifted away from Catholicism during the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century, which saw the establishment of the Protestant Church of Scotland. Despite this historical shift, Catholicism persists in Scotland today, with a significant number of adherents and a rich cultural influence.
According to the 2022 census, 13.3% of Scotland's population identified as Catholic, making it the second-largest religious group in the country after the Church of Scotland. The presence of Catholicism is especially strong in West Central Scotland and parts of the Highlands, with some Scottish Gaelic-speaking areas, such as Barra, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, and Moidart, being predominantly Catholic.
The history of Catholicism in Scotland is deeply intertwined with immigration and cultural exchange. In the 19th century, large numbers of Irish immigrants, fleeing events such as the Highland Clearances and the potato famine, brought their Catholic faith to Scotland. This was followed by significant waves of Italian, Lithuanian, and Polish Catholics in the 20th century and beyond, contributing to the continued growth of the Catholic population in Scotland.
Catholicism has played a significant role in shaping Scottish literature and culture. Scottish Gaelic literature, in particular, has been heavily influenced by Catholicism, with notable figures such as Iain Lom, Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair, and Allan MacDonald leaving their mark on the literary landscape.
The Catholic Church in Scotland has also faced significant challenges and persecution throughout its history. Following the Scottish Reformation, the Catholic Church was outlawed, and religious persecution lasted for centuries. Secret colleges and seminaries were established to train young men for the priesthood, often in secluded locations in the Highlands and Islands. It wasn't until the 19th century that laws against Catholics began to ease, with the Emancipation Act of 1829 restoring civil and political liberties to Scottish Catholics.
Today, the Catholic Church in Scotland is overseen by the Scottish Bishops' Conference and remains an important part of the country's religious landscape, contributing to the diversity of beliefs and practices found within Scotland's modern society.
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Frequently asked questions
Scotland officially stopped being a Catholic country in 1560 following the Scottish Reformation.
The Scottish Reformation was the process by which Scotland broke away from the Catholic Church and established the Protestant Church of Scotland. The Scottish Reformation Parliament, under the guidance of the Lords of the Congregation, passed legislation that established a Protestant creed and rejected Papal supremacy.
No, Catholicism did not disappear from Scotland after the Reformation. It remained a significant, albeit minority, faith, especially in certain regions like West Central Scotland and parts of the Highlands. There were periods of persecution for Catholics following the Reformation, as well as periods where it was more tolerated.
