Tomorrow (17th July) marks the 530th anniversary of the signing of the Papal Bull granting St Duthac’s Church Collegiate status and the occasion was marked this afternoon with a very engaging talk by Philip Ward.

“Innocent VIII bishop, servant of the servants of God, to his dear son William Spine, provost of the Church of the blessed Duthus of Tayne, in Ross, deacon, greeting and apostolic blessing. When what is asked of us is just and honourable, the strength of right as much as the line of reason requires that it should be carried out to its due effect as a consequence of craving our interposition. Indeed, the prayer brought before us on your behalf recited that our venerable brother Thomas, Bishop of Ross, with consent of the chapter of the Church of Ross and of others whom it concerned, and for the advancement of Divine worship, raised the said Church of the blessed Duthac into a collegiate one“

….

“Therefore, let none at all breakthrough this our writ of confirmation and defence, or with rash daring transgress it. But, if any shall take upon him to attempt this, let him know that he will incur the wrath of Almighty God, and of his blessed apostles, Peter and Paul. Given at Rome, at St Peter’s, in the year of the Lord’s incarnation, 1492, on the 17th of July, in the 8th year of our pontificate.“

More details about the Story of the Tain Papal Bull may be found on the Tain Museum web site.