With the key of reason

A State visit, not a pastoral visit like that of John Paul II in 1982. Benedict XVI’s visit to the United Kingdom, that is likely to take place in September 2010, is only the second trip made by a Pontiff to the Anglican islands of Britain. Compared to 27 years ago ecumenical relations grew stronger, while Catholicism, along with other Christian Churches, continues its battle against secularization. BBC commentator and co-editor of the Catholic weekly “Tablet” Clifford Longley conveyed his impressions regarding the possible impact of Benedict XVI’s arrival in the British world. In your opinion, what are the reasons that encouraged the Pope to undertake this trip? “I believe that an important role was played by John Henry Newman, the leader of the movement of Oxford, an Anglican converted to Catholicism. Newman holds a special place in the Pope’s formation. The Holy Father is at home in the academic environments of Oxford and Cambridge. Newman’s beatification is due to take place soon. However, if the Pope himself were to beatify him here, it would be an unprecedented event. He might proclaim him Doctor of the Church. At present, the official agenda of the Pope’s visit doesn’t include the beatification”.How important is the fact that Gordon Brown invited him? “It bears crucial importance. Gordon Brown is on excellent terms with the Pope. Brown espouses Benedict XVI’s stands on issues like Africa’s development and global warming. The Prime Minister endorses the social teaching of the Catholic Church conveyed in the encyclical “Caritas in Veritate”, since he believes that the transfer of large amounts of money to corrupt governments by the West does not help the African continent. Brown is interested in the leading role of the Catholic Church in Africa in the areas of health and education and repeatedly asked the Pope to help solve Africa’s problems”.The Pope enjoys the esteem of Gordon Brown and of Anglican Primate Rowan Williams…“Undoubtedly the visit was facilitated by the fact that Archbishop Williams holds a strong fascination towards the Catholic Church. The Anglican Primate realized how difficult it is to carry out his job, since, unlike the Pope, he has no authority and there have been debates in the Anglican environment on the opportunity of stepping up the role of the Primate”.Thus can the Pope expect a full reception? “Only atheists and humanists will fuel indifference. The “National Secular Society”, the lobby of atheists and agnostics, and the “Humanist Association” hold strongly critical stands against all religious faiths”.What will be his impact over British Catholicism? “It’s hard to say, but the visit of John Paul II in 1982 had a very positive effect on the local Church, it brought a message of encouragement, confirming the choices that had been made. Catholics felt they had done the right thing. In general terms, the visit could have a negative outcome, if public opinion were to remain indifferent to the arrival of Benedict XVI, or it could be a success and trigger people’s enthusiasm, as was the case in 1982 when the visit of John Paul II hit the front news in all media channels for several days”.How will the Pope’s visit impact Britain’s secularization?“In our Country the new generations are unaware of religion, but they’re not against it. While in the 1930s and 1940s there was ingrained prejudice against the Catholic Church, today there is widespread indifference and ignorance, and the appeal for the Pope could lead to learn more about the institutional religion”.Benedict XVI is expected to visit also Scotland…“The Catholic Scot minority population need to be reaffirmed in their own identity”. Do you believe that a new entente between Great Britain and Benedict XVI could be possible? “British culture, influenced by the Enlightenment, by the Protestant Reformation and by Imperialism is alien to Catholic culture. These are two different ways of living humanity. However, with the encyclical “Caritas in Veritate” the Pope found the key to English mindset, for example in the importance ascribed to reason. The Anglican tradition which formed British mentality, values reason as crucial and the Pope’s encyclical reflects this approach. Indeed it shows that reason has a relevant place in religion, which therefore has nothing to do with superstition”.