Why sign this petition? (Key points)

• The parishes are NOT currently merged — this process can still be paused and reviewed.
• Many people already believe the merger has happened decades ago, due to 'joint' councils and shared parish structures, but this is not the case
• Archbishop Nolan has decided to merge the parishes despite the lack of transparency and concerns noted by Parishioners about identity in a recent survey
• Our Holy Redeemer’s (OHR) deserves a fair chance to raise funds for repairs, rebuild parish life, and support its community.
• Parishioners have repeatedly asked for financial clarity, but full, transparent information has not been provided.
• Published in the Flourish repair costs of £2 million for OHR contradict a professional survey which suggested essential repairs would be under £100,000, £2 million would be for a full refurb like that of St Aloysious but this is not what we seek
• OHR has suffered decades of under-investment, yet has only begun experiencing roof leaks in recent years — suggesting maintenance issues, not structural failure.
• With proper investment and community support, OHR could continue serving Clydebank for many generations to come.
• People feel decisions are made made for them not with them at OHR and are wanting to protect this sacred building over a modern church which flooding issues will be impossible to rectify due to it being caused environmentally
• This petition asks the Archdiocese of Glasgow to pause the merger process, be honest and transparent, and give Our Holy Redeemer’s a fair opportunity.
• If Priests require administrative support, professional administrators should be brought in to help with the day to day running of the church; merging Parishes (bank accounts and birth, marriage and death records) is not the solution.

The Issue

This petition is not about creating division between parish communities. Many families in Clydebank have deep connections to both Our Holy Redeemer’s and Saint Margaret’s.

It is about ensuring that decisions affecting the future of Catholic life in Clydebank are made with truth, transparency, and good stewardship, rather than assumptions, rumours, or rushed processes.

Our Holy Redeemer’s is the Mother Church of Catholic Clydebank. It has been a place of faith, identity, and belonging for generations — not only for those who attend weekly, but for many who still see OHR as their church at key moments in life.

Despite this, many parishioners feel the proposed merger has moved too quickly, with limited consultation, unclear communication, and no open public meetings that were widely advertised or accessible.

Transparency and the Reality of OHR’s Finances

• A central concern raised by parishioners is the lack of clear and consistent financial information
• Parishioners have asked for transparency around finances and repair costs.
•  A figure of £2 million has been circulated regarding repairs to Our Holy Redeemer’s.  This directly contradicts the findings of a professional survey, which indicated that essential and emergency repairs would be under £100,000. These would be sufficient to prevent further water damage leaking in
• Saint Margaret's is widely known to be built on a swamp which floods, this is environmental and cannot be repaired
• It is also important to understand that OHR has not received consistent maintenance or investment for decades, and yet it is only in recent years that roof leaks have appeared. This strongly suggests deferred maintenance, not a building beyond repair.
• With honest information, proportionate investment, and community fundraising, Our Holy Redeemer’s could remain a living parish church for hundreds more years.

Why This Matters to the Community

Many parishioners already feel that decisions have been made about them, rather than with them. This has led to confusion, disengagement, and the widespread belief that the merger is already complete.

OHR should be allowed to:

• rebuild parish life,
• form groups that support families, young people, and the wider community,
• and demonstrate its viability rather than being quietly sidelined.

This is about people, not just buildings — about trust, belonging, and the future of faith in Clydebank. Many view OHR as their church, whether they are regular church goers or not, it also is an incredibly important part of Clydebank history surviving the worst attacks on Clydebank such as the Blitz. 

Parish mergers can be paused, reviewed, and reconsidered.

This petition is not an attack; it is a call for honesty, fairness, and good stewardship.

By signing this petition, you are asking the Archdiocese of Glasgow to:

•  Pause the merger process
• Provide clear, transparent financial and maintenance information of both Parishes
• Review sustainability: future communities, that modernism does not guarantee future proofing
• Allow Our Holy Redeemer’s a fair chance to fundraise, renew, and serve its community
• Hold open, well-advertised public meetings so people can be heard

Please sign and share

If Our Holy Redeemer’s matters to you — as a Catholic, Bankie or member of the community — please sign and share this petition.

This is not the end.

It is the beginning of standing up for truth, transparency, and our community.