| Celtic Pay Tribute to Irish Founder
By Richard Purden
A statue of Celtic’s founder Brother Walfrid the Catholic Marist Brother
from Co. Sligo brought thousands of Celtic supporters to the entrance of
Parkhead last Saturday. The monument was financed by Celtic supporters from
all over the world and was unveiled to rapturous applause as Archbishop
Mario Conti blessed the statue with Holy Water.
It was on November 6, 1887 that Celtic was formed as a charitable organisation
to help feed and clothe Glasgow’s immigrant poor. The Christian compassion
of Walfrid married with the sharp business acumen of John Glass made the
club a virtual overnight success.
It’s a testament to the supporters that they chose to celebrate this
humble Irish figure. The ceremony was hosted by Professor Tom Devine and
Celtic legends were there in abundance, including former manager and player
Billy McNeill, Neil Lennon, Tommy Burns and fellow Sligo man Sean Fallon.
Classical composer James MacMillan was also in attendance and wrote music
for the event, Walfrid at the Gates of Paradise. Eddie Toner of the Brother
Walfrid Memorial gave an impassioned speech connecting Celtic today with
the Priest’s legacy. He said: “Walfrid gave us a vision — one that was Christian,
charitable, inclusive and about never forgetting our roots. He gave us a
symbol for the community, a sense of identity.”
Celtic chairman Brian Quinn, who also shares his Sligo roots with Brother
Walfrid, spoke exclusively to the Scot Report and explained how Celtic is
going back to its origins.
He said: “No doubt the formation was a combination of the spiritual and
the temporal and we have a sense of obligation as a football club and as
supporters to help. If you turn to Celtic supporters they cough up — they
recently raised money for the Pakistan earthquake.”
Also putting in a rare appearance was former managing director Fergus
McCann. Quinn was keen to point to McCann’s initiative to connect Celtic
with its spiritual and social beginnings. “I think the principle effort
today is The Celtic Charity fund set up by Fergus McCann, who saw the need
for it. That fund has raised over £1million,” he said.
“The charitable aspect got subordinated not long after the club was founded,
it caused a big argument in the community as to whether they should go on
as a charity or become a public company.”
The celebration of such a man’s contribution creates a spirit throughout
the Celtic family that makes the club so unique.
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