Pure heart and clear conscience

An appeal to “be a public example of faith”, and to oppose the “dictatorship of relativism” that “threatens to obscure the unchanging truth about man’s nature, his destiny and his ultimate good”, was made by Benedict XVI in Glasgow, during the second leg of his apostolic journey to the United Kingdom. In his homily pronounced during mass in Bellahouston Park on 16 September the Pope addressed himself “in particular” to the “lay faithful”, appealing to them “not only to be examples of faith in public, but also to put the case for the promotion of faith’s wisdom and vision in the public forum”. Today, said the Pope, “there are some who seek to exclude religious belief from public discourse, to privatise it or even to paint it as a threat to equality and liberty. Yet religion is in fact a guarantee of authentic liberty and respect, leading us to look upon every person as a brother or sister”. “Society today – urged the Holy Father – needs clear voices which propose our right to live, not in the jungle of self-destructive and arbitrary freedoms, but in a society which works for the true welfare of its citizens and offers them guidance and protection in the face of their weakness and fragility”. The “historic” visit of John Paul II and ecumenism. “It is with some emotion – so the Pope began his homily – that I address you, not far from the spot where my beloved predecessor Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass nearly thirty years ago with you and was welcomed by the largest crowd ever gathered in Scottish history”. “Much has happened in Scotland and in the Church in this country since that historic visit,” continued the Holy Father, praising the commitment of the Scottish Church “to walk hand in hand with your fellow Christians” and encouraging them “to continue to pray and work with them in building a brighter future for Scotland based upon our common Christian heritage”. The Pope then recalled this year’s centenary of the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh: “Let us give thanks to God – he continued – for the promise which ecumenical understanding and cooperation represent for the united witness to the saving truth of God’s word in today’s rapidly changing society”. The Pope did not fail to mention Scotland’s three great medieval universities, “founded here by the popes”, and the role of the Scottish Catholic schools that are “providing an integral education to greater numbers of students”. Examples of a holy life. The Pope in his homily addressed “a special word to the bishops of Scotland”. “One of your first pastoral duties – he reminded them – is to your priests and to their sanctification”. He then appealed to the bishops: “Live to the full the charity that flows from Christ, in your brotherly ministry towards your priests, collaborating with them all, and in particular with those who have little contact with their fellow priests”. “Just as the Eucharist makes the Church, so the priesthood is central to the life of the Church”, exhorted the Pope: “Engage yourselves personally in forming your priests as a body of men who inspire others to dedicate themselves completely to the service of Almighty God. Have a care also for your deacons, whose ministry of service is associated in a particular way with that of the order of bishops. Be a father and a guide in holiness for them, encouraging them to grow in knowledge and wisdom in carrying out the mission of herald to which they have been called”. Benedict XVI then appealed to the priests of Scotland: “Preach the Gospel with a pure heart and a clear conscience. Dedicate yourselves to God alone and you will become shining examples to young men of a holy, simple and joyful life: they, in their turn, will surely wish to join you in your single-minded service of God’s people”. The “temptations” of the young. In the final part of his homily in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, Benedict XVI appealed to the young Catholics of Scotland “to lead lives worthy of our Lord and of yourselves”. “There are – he said – many temptations placed before you every day – drugs, money, sex, pornography, alcohol – which the world tells you will bring you happiness, yet these things are destructive and divisive. There is only one thing that lasts: the love of Jesus Christ personally for each one of you. Search for him, know him and love him, and he will set you free from slavery to the glittering but superficial existence frequently proposed by today’s society. Put aside what is worthless and learn of your own dignity as children of God”. “In today’s Gospel – the Pope continued – Jesus asks us to pray for vocations: I pray that many of you will know and love Jesus Christ and, through that encounter, will dedicate yourselves completely to God, especially those of you who are called to the priesthood and religious life. This is the challenge the Lord gives to you today: the Church now belongs to you!”. “The Pope ended his homily by speaking in Gaelic: “I am happy – he said – to assure you of my prayers in the ancient language of your country”. He ended the second leg of his apostolic journey with the wish: “God’s peace and blessing to you all; God surround you; and may God bless the people of Scotland!”.