by Mishal Francis

I am a refugee. A label I have never really liked for myself. It makes me feel inferior, like a second-class citizen. I am a British national though. More so, a Scottish national. I identify more with being Scottish having lived here for over 20 years. With the nationality, I have also adopted the umbrage Catholic Scots seemingly feel with being part of Britain – a resentment that remains in their hearts post Reformation. I assume Reformation made Catholic Scots feel unwelcome in their own land of birth with restricted freedom to practice their faith.

I too have experienced this unwelcome and persecution for my Christian faith in Pakistan. I remember the day when my parents resolutely decided that Pakistan, my birthland, had become too dangerous for us. We were experiencing attacks and threats to leave, because Pakistan – land of the pure – was no place for infidels, filthy Christians like us. We had to flee to save our lives, our sanity, and our honour. In a search for our safe haven, we found a refuge in Scotland.

I am not just a Pakistani refugee living in Scotland. Scotland is my home now. But it hasn’t always felt like that. When we arrived in Glasgow, fresh off the bus from London, the first place we inquired about was our nearest Catholic Church. We had left behind our house, most of our belongings, our cousins, and our friends. We believed the only place where we could find a connection would be our local parish. We had escaped from fear and into freedom; where we could read, write, share our beliefs and our prayers – answered and unanswered. We could speak freely of our faith without looking over our shoulders. We had the privilege of attending Holy Mass without fear of a hostile police officer or angry mobs – and we were taking the opportunity with both hands.

Mishal Francis is studying for a Doctorate in Practical Theology at the University of Glasgow. Her topic is Persecuted Christians in Pakistan seeking refuge in Scotland. By education and training, she is an aeronautical engineer and is currently working as a youth officer for the Archdiocese of Glasgow and the Diocese of Motherwell.

Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash