” “”Both our institutions have a lot to offer: an extended network of priests, committed laymen, resources and, even more importantly, a plentiful stock of faith, hope and love. By working together on a local level, we can make use of the skills and enthusiasm of our congregations with a view to the common good and in doing so we can feel closer to each other in Christian brotherhood”. These are the words of the archbishop of Glasgow, Mario Joseph Conti, who speake last night to over 200 ministers and elders of the Scottish Presbyterate of the city, gathered in the church of New Govan. Mgr. Conti, the first Catholic bishop to give a talk to the Presbyteral Church of Glasgow, recalled John Paul II’s visit to the country in 1982 and the Pope’s speech at Bellahouston. “We are only pilgrims on this earth", had stated the Pope as he had exhorted all Christians to go on this pilgrimage “together, holding hands". "Since I arrived at the diocese continued the archbishop of Glasgow I have placed the ecumenical issue at the top of my agenda”. As he mentioned the real progress made in this area, including "a fully operating ecumenical Commission", mgr. Conti highlighted the importance of keeping "working together" against "the evils of local society, such as poverty, diseases, addictions, family crises, illegality”.” “
