Cardinal Thomas Winning, leader of Scotland's 750,000 Catholics, has been forced by bishops to tone down a pastoral letter which appeared to give backing to the Scottish National Party in next week's elections.
The revised "Make the Cross Count" statement, which will be read in churches on Sunday, is now more balanced than it was in draft, but includes clear criticism of the Labour government's introduction of tuition fees.
The letter was delayed by a week while amendments were made, to allow for the opposition reportedly voiced by Bishop Mario Conti of Aberdeen and Bishop Joe Devine of Motherwell. It counters criticism of government policy with a call to "build afresh on the solid foundations of Scotland's historic place within the United Kingdom and among the nations of Europe".
Scotland has six bishops, and such a statement requires unanimity. Cardinal Winning, the controversial 73-year old church leader, was a regular critic of the Conservative government, and used to make little secret of his backing for Labour while in opposition. But the Blair government's shift away from left-wing policies, and the prime minister's refusal to change the abortion law, have combined to push the cardinal towards Labour's main opponents in Scotland.
In a speech in Brussels last year, Cardinal Winning signalled his shift towards a more nationalist position, praising the SNP as "mature, respectful and international in outlook". The SNP, in turn, has been working hard to reverse its traditional lack of support among Catholic voters, signalling its firm support for separate Catholic schooling in the state system.
Meanwhile, the SNP's frustration at the virulent opposition of Scottish newspapers has led to the setting up of its own daily paper for the remainder of the campaign. Up to 100,000 copies of the four-page Scotland's Voice are to be distributed free from today until polling on May 6th. s highest profile backer, has complained officially about its photographers provocative behaviour.