Ancient Dunfermline relic to be flown to Chile
AN ANCIENT relic which was once held in Dunfermline will be flown across the world to inspire parishioners in Chile.
The piece of bone broke from the remains of St Margaret when it was removed from its reliquary in 2019 at the Catholic church dedicated to the saint in East Port.
Father Thibault Pontbriand travelled from the Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile to collect it last Tuesday for it to go on display in his church.
The building was restored recently, inspired by the princess, who married Malcolm Canmore III, the King of Scotland, in 1070 in Dunfermline.
Fr Pontbriand, parish priest at St Margaret of Scotland in La Florida, said: “We decided to restore our church, inspired by the life of St Margaret of Scotland.
“It has been a challenge, we are a poor parish, but we have had the blessing of St Margaret throughout the process.
“It has been a great adventure and we give thanks for this great gift.”
In her life, St Margaret is said to have worked to aid the poor of Scotland, while also helping to build churches, including Dunfermline Abbey.
When the main relic fragmented, smaller pieces were made available, and several parishes contacted the Archdiocese of St Andrews and
Edinburgh asking to be entrusted with one.
Archbishop Cushley, who presented the relic of the scapular bone, which is placed in a crossshaped reliquary, at St Bennet’s in Edinburgh said: “We were delighted to see that in our great Catholic family throughout the world there were churches dedicated to St Margaret in places far away, including Santiago.
“St Margaret would be pleased because her relic is going to a poor parish and she was very close to the poor and it was lovely to meet Fr Pontbriand and present the relic to him.”