During his trip to the United Kingdom, Pope Benedict XVI. criticized a banishment of religion from the public sphere. There are currently moves to exclude and privatize beliefs from social debate, the pope said Thursday at a Mass in Glasgow. Religion is presented as a threat to the freedom and equality of citizens, he said. In fact, however, it is a "guarantee of genuine freedom and respect". Benedict XVI. Celebrated the first service of his trip to Great Britain with some 65.000 worshippers in Glasgow's Bellahouston Park.
Benedict XVI. Called on Scottish Catholics to stand up for their faith in public as well. Especially at a time when a "dictatorship of relativism" threatens to obscure the unchanging truth about human nature, he said, such commitment is needed. Encouraged Catholics in professional life to put their "talents and experience" at the service of faith; this is especially true in politics and education, he said. The "modern Scottish culture must be included at all levels". Society needs "clear voices" advocating for the right to live "not in a jungle of self-destructive and arbitrary freedom" but in a society that cares for the true good of its citizens, the pope stressed.
The young people admonished Benedict XVI., not to succumb to the temptations of everyday life. They are led to believe that they can become happy through drugs, money and sex. In fact, however, these temptations are "destructive and ambivalent," the pope said. Only the love of Jesus Christ for mankind is lasting. Benedict XVI described as a "sign of great hope". Scotland's Catholic schools. In recent decades, these have not only helped young people to grow "spiritually and as human beings," but have also given them access to professional and public life.
At the same time, the Pope called on the faithful to continue on the path of ecumenism. Since the visit of his predecessor, John Paul II.
(1978-2005) in 1982 the connection between the denominations had grown.
The service in Bellahouston Park was the first mass event of the Catholic Church leader during his state visit to Great Britain. In the morning, Queen Elizabeth II. officially received the Pope in Edinburgh.
In his welcoming speech at the royal palace of Holyroodhouse, Benedict XVI addressed. of a "hand of friendship" that he extended to the British; at the same time, he warned against "more aggressive forms of secularism" there as well.
Upon his arrival in Bellahouston Park, the pope was greeted with warm applause. Bagpipers from the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band accompanied the procession with traditional tunes. National singing star Susan Boyle was also scheduled to perform during the service.
In addition to the Scottish clergy, numerous representatives from politics and society took part in the celebration. The Catholic Church of Scotland celebrated on this day the commemoration of St. Bishop Ninian (360-432), who is venerated as the apostle of the Scots.