In a joint letter sent to organising teams from across Scotland they say;

“To all of the people of our beloved Scotland, who made the successor of Peter an honorary Scot for the day, we say, ‘Thank you from the bottom of our heart.'”

The message gives special praise to the broadcast and print media in Scotland thanking journalists for their “expertise and commitment in relaying the Pope’s message to the people of Scotland”

Full text

MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE TO THE PEOPLE OF SCOTLAND

On behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to all who made the visit of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to our country such a happy and memorable day. Months of preparation and hard work involved countless agencies and thousands of individuals. To each and every one of you our sincere thanks are due for the contribution you made to the resounding success of the day.

In a special way we wish to express our gratitude to Her Majesty the Queen who received the Holy Father so graciously as soon as he arrived in Scotland. We wish also to put on record our deep appreciation of the support of the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council and Glasgow City Council for their warm support and co-operation in the planning and delivery of a “day of days” which allowed 200,000 people to see the Holy Father in person during his day in Scotland.

Special thanks are also due to the police, fire and ambulance services, the NHS, the travel companies, Strathclyde Passenger Transport, Scotrail and Stagecoach, who co-ordinated the travel plan, as well as DF Concerts our event managers in Bellahouston Park.

We wish to acknowledge too, the very positive coverage given to the Holy Father’s time in Scotland by the broadcast and print media. Their expertise and commitment in relaying the Pope’s message to the people of Scotland was greatly appreciated.

To all the priests, deacons, religious and lay people who helped plan and support the visit, to parish pilgrim leaders who worked so hard to bring pilgrims from every corner of our land to Edinburgh and Glasgow and guide them safely home; to the teachers who planned lessons and accompanied pupils on the big day; to those who took part in the pre and post-event schedule in Glasgow or the St Ninian’s Day Parade in Edinburgh; to those who volunteered to work on the day of the visit as helpers and stewards either in Edinburgh or Glasgow and to all those who followed the events either in person or via radio, television or the internet, we wish to express our thanks and appreciation. In a special way we wish to thank the members of other churches and faith communities who joined us in welcoming the Holy Father to Scotland.

The planning, preparation and forethought which went into each step on this Apostolic journey were quite immense and it is thanks to the contributions of so many that the day was such a resounding success. The success of the visit is a success of which all Scotland can be proud. Scotland enjoyed a day in the sun last Thursday, we showed a spectacularly welcoming face to the Pope and the world and reminded all those watching that the Catholic faith in Scotland lives and flourishes even in these often faithless times.

To all of the people of our beloved Scotland, who made the successor of Peter an honorary Scot for the day, we say, “Thank you from the bottom of our heart.”

+Keith Patrick Cardinal O’Brien
Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

+Mario Joseph Conti
Archbishop of Glasgow
Vice President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

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Full text

To the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols
President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

I am writing to thank you most sincerely for all that you and your brother bishops in England and Wales did to make my first official visit in the United Kingdom such a success. Please extend my thanks to the civil and ecclesiastical authorities who worked so diligently to render my Visit to England so fruitful. I would ask in particular that you convey my affectionate greeting to the people of London who welcomed me so warmly.

I am very conscious of the significance of the events of those days and the unprecedented opportunities afforded me, both by Her Majesty’s Government and by the Church of England, to build new relationships and to strengthen existing ones, including with representatives of other religions. It was particularly moving for me personally to preside at the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. Finally, I am grateful for Your Grace’s hospitality at Westminster and for the welcome afforded me by the faithful of London, especially the young people and the elderly.

Invoking the intercession of Saint George and Saint David, patrons of England and Wales, I willingly impart to you and to the bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful in England and Wales my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of grace and peace.

From the Vatican, 1 October 2010

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Before he gave the final blessing at the Mass of Thanksgiving for the Visit, Archbishop Nichols held up a copy of the book: Benedict XVI and Blessed John Henry Newman, The State Visit – The Official Record.

The Archbishop, President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, expressed his delight and gratitude. He said: “It is my great pleasure to present to you this Official Record of the Papal Visit. It is a very beautiful production.

“I am grateful to The Catholic Truth Society and to its author Mr Peter Jennings for the work that they have done at great speed but with great care, to produce a really outstanding Official Record of the visit of Pope Benedict.”

Archbishop Vincent Nichols added: “I thank those who have produced the book and I commend it to you all as a worthy record of a most memorable Papal Visit.”

Following Mass in the Cathedral, packed to capacity for the Saturday morning occasion, Archbishop Nichols visited the CTS Bookshop in the Piazza where he signed more than 200 copies of the book for customers in less than a hour. More than 5,000 copies of the first impression of the book have already been pre-ordered.

Earlier Archbishop Nichols had been presented with the first copy of the book by its editor Peter Jennings, at Archbishop’s House.

In Birmingham the following day, Sunday 10 October, Peter Jennings presented a copy of the book to the Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham.

Archbishop Longley said: “This beautifully and skilfully produced Official Record of the Papal Visit will bring to mind the most vivid memories of a remarkable four days for the Catholic Church in Scotland, England and Wales.

“The series of thoughtful and insightful reflections will help us deepen our understanding of the lasting importance of Pope Benedict’s Visit and Cardinal Newman’s Beatification.”

“I add my thanks and congratulations to everyone involved in preparing and publishing the Official Record so soon after the Holy Father’s visit to us.”

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In a special video reflection, the Archbishop of Westminster spoke enthusiastically about the four days of “joy and happiness” and highlighted some of the Holy Father’s key messages:

“He said to us: ‘Be witnesses to the beauty of holiness, the splendour of the truth and the joy and freedom born of a relationship with Christ’. That’s the sentence I suggest we ponder as a great gift from the Holy Father – the beauty of Holiness – that’s the holiness of God that can be born in us when we’re open to the mystery of God.”

Archbishop Nichols goes on to discuss the Hyde Park evening Vigil as a profound, grace-filled occasion:

“I can never forget that sense of 80-90,000 people in total silence in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in Hyde Park. It was something beyond words – the fruit of a lot of prayer and a moment of profound grace. It shows the beauty of holiness.”

The Archbishop, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, encouraged Catholics to be inspired by Pope Benedict’s visit to be more confident in their faith:

“Let it show. Wish people God Bless at the end of a conversation. Offer to pray for them – especially if they’re having a hard time, and don’t be afraid to use the signs of faith like a simple sign of the Cross at home at the beginning and end of the day with those you live with – those in your family.”

Watch

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Answer: Firstly, good day to you all and I wish you a good journey. I must say that I’m not worried, because when I went to France I was told: “This will be a most anticlerical country with strong anticlerical currents and with a minimum of faithful.” When I went to the Czech Republic it was said: “This is the most non-religious country in Europe and even the most anti-clerical”. So Western countries, all have, each in their own specific way, according to their own history, strong anticlerical or anti-Catholic currents, but they always also have a strong presence of faith. So in France and the Czech Republic I saw and experienced a warm welcome by the Catholic community, a strong attention from agnostics, who, however, are searching, who want to know, to find the values that advance humanity and they were very careful to see if they could hear something from me in this respect, and tolerance and respect for those who are anti-Catholic. Of course Britain has its own history of anti-Catholicism, this is obvious, but is also a country with a great history of tolerance. And so I’m sure on the one hand, there will be a positive reception from Catholics, from believers in general, and attention from those who seek as we move forward in our time, mutual respect and tolerance. Where there is anti-Catholicism I will go forward with great courage and joy.

Q: The UK, like many other Western countries – there is an issue that you have already touched on in the first answer –it is considered a secular country. There is a strong atheist movement, even for cultural reasons. However, there are also signs that religious faith, particularly in Jesus Christ, is still alive on a personal level. What can this mean for Catholics and Anglicans? Can anything be done to make the Church as an institution, more credible and attractive to everyone?

A: I would say that a Church that seeks to be particularly attractive is already on the wrong path, because the Church does not work for her own ends, she does not work to increase numbers and thus power. The Church is at the service of another: she serves, not for herself, not to be a strong body, rather she serves to make the proclamation of Jesus Christ accessible, the great truths and great forces of love, reconciling love that appeared in this figure and that always comes from the presence of Jesus Christ. In this regard, the Church does not seek to be attractive in and of herself, but must be transparent for Jesus Christ and to the extent that she is not out for herself, as a strong and powerful body in the world, that wants power, but is simply the voice of another, she becomes truly transparent for the great figure of Christ and the great truth that he has brought to humanity. The power of love, in this moment one listens, one accepts. The Church should not consider herself, but help to consider the other and she herself must see and speak of the other. In this sense, I think, both Anglicans and Catholics have the same simple task, the same direction to take. If both Anglicans and Catholics see that the other is not out for themselves but are tools of Christ, children of the Bridegroom, as Saint John says, if both carry out the priorities of Christ and not their own, they will come together, because at that time the priority of Christ unites them and they are no longer competitors seeking the greatest numbers, but are united in our commitment to the truth of Christ who comes into this world and so they find each other in a genuine and fruitful ecumenism.

Q: Thank you Your Holiness. A third question. As is well known and as was also highlighted by recent surveys, the sexual abuse scandal has shaken the confidence of the faithful in the Church. How do you think you can help restore that trust?

A: First, I must say that these revelations have been a shock for me, not only a great sadness. It is difficult to understand how this perversion of the priestly ministry was possible. The priest at the time of ordination, after having prepared for this moment for years, says yes to Christ, to be his voice, his mouth, his hands and serve Him with his whole life, so that the Good Shepherd who loves and helps and guides to the truth is present in the world. How a man who has done this and said this may also fall into this perversion is difficult to understand. It is a great sadness, a sadness that even the authority of the Church has not been sufficiently vigilant and not fast or decided enough in taking the necessary measures. Because of all of this, we are in a time of repentance, humility, and renewed sincerity. As I wrote to the Irish bishops, I think we now realize its a time of penance, a time to renew and relearn humility with complete sincerity. Regarding the victims, I would say there are three important things. Our first interest is for the victims: how can we repair the damage done? What can we do to help these people overcome this trauma, to regain their life and rediscover confidence in the message of Christ? Care, commitment to victims is the first priority, with material, psychological, spiritual aid. Second, the problem of the guilty persons. The just punishment is exclusion from all possibilities of access to young people because we know that this is a disease and free will does not work where there is disease. So we have to protect these people against themselves and find ways to help them, protect them against themselves and exclude them from any access to young people. The third point is prevention in education, in the choice of candidates for the priesthood to be so careful that, as much as humanly possible, we exclude future cases. And I would now also like to thank the British Bishops for their attention and cooperation with both the See of St. Peter and with public bodies. It seems to me that the British Bishops have done a great job in their attention to the sensitivity of the victims and the law and I am very grateful to them for this.

Q: Your Holiness, the figure of Cardinal Newman is obviously very significant: you have made an acception for Cardinal Newman to preside over the beatification. Do you think that his memory will help to overcome divisions between Anglicans and Catholics? What are the aspects of his personality which you would like to give stronger emphasis to?

A: Cardinal Newman is mainly, on the one hand, a modern man, who took on all of the problems of modernity, he experienced the problem of agnosticism, the impossibility of knowing God, of believing; a man who throughout his life was on a journey, a journey to let himself be transformed by the truth, in a search of great sincerity and great willingness, to learn more, to find and to accept the path to true life. This modernity of his inner-being and life points to the modernity of his faith: it is not a faith in the formulas of a bygone age, it is a most personal form of faith, lived, suffered, found through a long process of renewal and conversion. He is a man of great culture who on the one hand participates in our sceptical culture of today, in the question: “Can we understand something certain about the truth of man, of the human being, or not? And how can we arrive at the convergence of the verisimilitude? “. A man who, on the other hand, with a great knowledge of the culture of the Church Fathers, he studied and renewed the internal genesis of the faith, thus acknowledging his figure and his inner constitution, he is a man of great spirituality, a great humanism, a man of prayer, of a deep relationship with God and a relationship with himself, and therefore also of a deep relationship with the other men of his and our time. So I would say these three elements: the modernity of his existence, with all the doubts and problems of our existence today, his great culture, knowledge of the great cultural treasures of mankind, his constant quest for the truth, continuous renewal and spirituality: spiritual life, life with God, give this man an exceptional greatness for our time. Therefore, it is a figure of Doctor of the Church for us, for all and also a bridge between Anglicans and Catholics.

Q: And one last question, this visit is considered a state visit – this is how it has been qualified. What does this mean for relations between the Holy See and the United Kingdom? Are there are major points of common accord, particularly given the great challenges of today’s world?

A: I am very grateful to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, who wanted to give this visit the rank of a state visit and who expressed the public nature of this visit and also the common responsibility of politics and religion for the future of continent, for the future of humanity: the large, shared responsibility so that the values that create justice and politics and which come from religion, share the journey in our time. Of course, the fact that legally it is a state visit, does not make this visit a political matter, because if the Pope is head of state, this is just an instrument to ensure the independence of his message and public nature of his work as pastor.

In this sense, the State visit is substantially and essentially a pastoral visit, a visit in the responsibility of the faith for which the Supreme Pontiff, the Pope, exists. Of course, the character of a state visit focuses attention on the converging interests of politics and religion. Politics is essentially designed to ensure justice and with justice, freedom, but justice is a moral value, a religious value, and so faith, the proclamation of the Gospel connects with politics in justice and here common interests are also born. Britain has a great experience and a great record in combating the evils of this time, misery, poverty, disease, drugs and all these fights against misery, poverty, slavery, abuse of man, drugs… are also the goals of the faith, because they are the aims of the humanization of man, so that the image of God be restored against the destruction and devastation. Another common task is the commitment to world peace and the ability to live peace, peace education and establish the virtues that make man capable of peace. And, finally, an essential element of peace is the dialogue of religions, tolerance, openness to one another and this is a deep aim both of Britain, as a society, and of the Catholic faith: to be open to the outside world, open to dialogue, in this way to open to truth and the common path of humanity and to rediscovering the values that are the foundation of our humanism!

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Delegates will hear four unique assessments of Newman, and then receive a free copy of the wonderfully illustrated official beatification biography – written by one of the speakers.

The Conference is an important opportunity to hear four world-class Newman scholars and biographers talk about the man, the message and his enduring significance.

Delegates will have the opportunity for extended discussion with the speakers at this event, both during the conference and over lunch, which is included.

The event starts at 9am and finishes at 4pm. Delegates are invited to a post-conference civic reception with the Lord Mayor of Birmingham at which an exhibition on Newman will be opened and some items of Newman’s possession, and some items in the City collection, will be on display for the first time.

At 5.30pm there will be a special performance of the Dream of Gerontius by the Birmingham-based Ex Cathedra choir and the Orchestra of the age of Englightenment, using period instruments, in Birmingham Town Hall, where the Dream was originally first performed. The original Elgar score signed by the first performers will be on display.

When

Saturday 18 September 2010
9am – 4pm
International Convention Centre, Birmingham

How do I book?

Ticket bookings for the conference and also for Dream of Gerontius can be made through the Birmingham Town Hall Box Office www.thsh.co.uk or 0121 780 3333

If you are calling from outside the UK the number for bookings is: +44 121 780 3333

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Award-winning Scottish graphic designer Gregory Millar produced the logo that combines the Papal cross with the St Andrew’s cross. The quotation that circles the design is taken from Pope Benedict’s Address to Young People in the USA in 2008.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien says of it: “The design by Scottish designer Gregory Millar is both striking and symbolic, it is a fitting emblem for a historic visit.”

Gregory Millar describes how he approached the organisers of the Scottish leg of the visit: “I put forward my idea for the Papal logo speculatively to the organising committee, not thinking I would hear back,” he said. “But I was informed that they had officially adopted my design. It’s a huge honour. As a practising Catholic, I am delighted to be associated with first the Papal visit to Scotland since 1982.”

Gregory Millar’s work has won and been nominated for serveral creative industry awards. He previously worked for the BBC designing logos for programmes such as Match of the Day and Top of the Pops.

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Lord Patten, the last Governor of Hong Kong, was accompanied by Councillor Alan Rudge, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Human Resources, and senior officials from the City of Birmingham, West Midlands Police and other agencies.

Councillor Alan Rudge, tasked with overseeing the City Council’s role during the Papal Visit, said: “The Papal Visit is a momentous occasion for the City of Birmingham and for the West Midlands. We have a world class reputation for hosting events and will be delighted to welcome our friends from across the region, the country and the world.”

Lord Patten toured the leafy environs of Cofton Park in glorious sunshine before travelling across the city to the Oratory House in Edgbaston, opened by Cardinal Newman in 1852 and where he died on 11 August 1890, aged 89. At the Birmingham Oratory, Lord Patten met with the Provost, Fr Richard Duffield, and Canon Patrick Browne, Administrator of St Chad’s Cathedral, Local Coordinator for the Papal Visit to the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Lord Patten, a Catholic, was shown Cardinal Newman’s Room and Private Chapel dedicated to St Francis de Sales, Patron of writers and journalists.

He also visited St Philip’s Chapel which is now being made into a Shrine to Blessed Cardinal Newman, Founder of the English Oratory of St Philip Neri.

Pope Benedict XVI is expected to make a short private pilgrimage to the Oratory House after the Mass at Cofton Park. The Pope will then be driven to St Mary’s College, Oscott, the Diocesan Seminary, for a private visit during which he will address the Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland in the College Chapel. It was here that John Henry Newman was confirmed as a Catholic by Bishop (later Cardinal) Nicholas Wiseman on 1 November, the Feast of All Saints, 1845.

Afterwards Lord Patten, the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, visited Birmingham Council House where he gave a series of interviews to the local media before being presented with a copy of “Benedict XVI and Cardinal Newman” by Peter Jennings. During his interviews London Patten revealed that two popemobiles would be used by Pope Benedict XVI during the four-day State Visit, 16-19 September. Lord Patten said that he hoped it would be possible for Pope Benedict to use a popemobile for part of his journey from Cofton Park to the Oratory House, Edgbaston.

Meanwhile, the following extract was included in the weekly newsletter of the Birmingham Oratory on Sunday 18 July: “When our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, comes to the Oratory on 19 September, straight after the beatification, he will be the first pilgrim to pray in the new shrine that will be in St Philip’s Chapel.

“This is a tremendous honour, not only for Cardinal Newman, but also for our parish and community. For obvious reasons the visit will be very short and it will be completely private.”

The bulletin added: “Many thanks to those who have already made donations towards setting up Blessed John Henry Newman’s shrine and to fund the redecoration of St Philip’s Chapel, making it ready to receive the relics of Blessed John Henry but a great deal more is needed.”

During his interviews in Birmingham Lord Patten of Barnes emphasised that the decision to switch the venue of the Papal Mass and Beatification of Cardinal Newman from Coventry Airport to Cofton Park was solely the decision of the Holy See.

Image

Lord Patten pictured with (left to right) Sharon Lee, Strategic Director, Environment and Culture, Councillor Alan Rudge, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Human Resources, and John Blakemore, Acting Chief Highway Engineer, outside Birmingham Council House.

© Peter Jennings

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The Papal Master of Ceremonies, Mgr Guido Marini and two officials from his Vatican office visited Cofton Park, on Thursday 8 July during a Liturgical Planning Visit to Birmingham, London and Glasgow.

Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass and Beatify Cardinal Newman at Cofton Park on Sunday 19 September – the culmination of his historic four-day State Visit.

Cofton Park is situated near the Oratory Retreat, Rednal, where Cardinal Newman was buried following his death in his room at the Oratory House in Edgbaston on Monday, 11 August 1890.

Mgr Marini was accompanied by Mgr Andrew Summersgill, the Papal Visit Co-ordinator, Mgr Philip Moger from the Diocese of Leeds, Organiser of Liturgy, and Fr Paul Conroy from Scotland.

The Vatican party was welcomed to Cofton Park by Canon Patrick Browne, Local Organiser for the the Papal Visit to the Archdiocese of Birmingham. He was accompanied by Fr Jan Nowotnik, Parish Priest of Our Lady and St Brigit, Northfield, who is the Deputy Local Liturgy Organiser, and Mr Peter Jennings, Press Secretary to Archbishop Bernard Longley.

The Vatican party also met and discussed the arrangements of the Papal Mass with representatives of events management company WRG and Pamela Hossick, the BBC Producer/Director of the ‘live’ broadcast of the Papal Mass and Cardinal Newman Beatification, scheduled to be shown on BBC2.

After the visit to Cofton Park the Vatican party were driven the nine miles to Cathedral House, situated next to the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, in central Birmingham. In the Chapter Room Mgr Marini discussed detailed arrangements about the Liturgy and Music for the Papal Mass with Fr Timothy Menezes, Parish Priest of St Thomas More, Coventry, Local Organiser for Liturgy, and Fr Peter Jones, Local Organiser for Music.

At the end of the meeting the Vatican party left for a visit to Glasgow.

Image

Papal Mc, Mgr Guido Marini and members of the Vatican Party pictured at Cofton Park, Birmingham, with Mgr Andrew Summersgill, Canon Patrick Browne, and representatives of WRG on 7 July.

© Peter Jennings

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Lord Patten of Barnes, Prime Minister David Cameron’s personal representative in charge of government preparations for the Papal Visit, and Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster addressed journalists at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to give an update on Pope Benedict’s September visit to the UK.

Lord Patten said the coalition government was “honoured” and “strongly supportive” of the Holy Father’s visit highlighting areas in which the Church and State worked together:

“First of all, international development is one of the priorities of this government. DfID (the department for development and the reduction of poverty) and the government are international partners of the Catholic Church worldwide, dealing with poverty issues, education and health.

“Secondly, the government sees itself as a partner of all faith groups – including the Catholic Church – in building solid, more resilient communities, dealing with issues of solidarity and social justice.”

Lord Patten looked ahead with particular enthusiasm to the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman in Cofton Park, Birmingham:

“It’s splendid that we can welcome the Pope to celebrate the life of one of the great Englishmen of the nineteenth century. Certainly anyone involved with higher education in this country will recognise the extraordinary philosophical role he played in setting out the case for pluralism in education and the role of university.”

Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, talked about the historic nature of Pope Benedict’s visit:

“I think it will be seen in some of the iconic moments and images – the Pope standing side by side with the Queen, the Pope entering Lambeth Palace, the Pope speaking in Westminster Hall – where St Thomas More was condemned to death – the Pope going to Westminster Abbey and praying with the Archbishop of Canterbury at the tomb of St Edward the Confessor, monarch of this land.”

The Archbishop also spoke about a recent meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.

“He is really profoundly looking forward to these few days. He is enthusiastic but also very aware of the magnitude of this visit. He, so elegantly representing a long tradition of Catholic faith, is coming to engage in a modern world-leading city.”

Archbishop Nichols also offered an insight into Pope Benedict’s commitment to his ministry as the successor of St Peter:

“He is open to all aspects of our human endeavour. His last teaching document, Caritas in Veritate, addressed the financial crisis, education, issues of globalisation and the environment. He does all of these things speaking of the enduring values of Christianity, values that still underpin our society. He approaches this visit as an exercise of meeting, of dialogue and inviting consideration and response.”

The press conference took place at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Monday, 5 July 2010.

To hear the full audio, click on the mp3 clips embedded on the right hand side of this article.

Updated itinerary

Visit our updated itinerary with background information on the locations Pope Benedict will visit.

Photos

A gallery of images taken at the press conference can be found on our Flickr photostream.

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