Pope Benedict XVI began his State and Pastoral visit to the UK today. Addressing Queen Elizabeth and all Britons in Scotland, His Holiness said:
The name of
Holyroodhouse recalls the ‘Holy Cross’ and points to the deep Christian roots
that are still present in every layer of British life. The monarchs of England
and Scotland have been Christians from very early times and include outstanding
saints like Edward the Confessor and Margaret of Scotland. … Many of them
consciously exercised their sovereign duty in the light of the Gospel, and in
this way shaped the nation for good at the deepest level. As a result, the
Christian message has been an integral part of the language, thought and
culture of the peoples of these islands for more than a thousand years. Your
forefathers’ respect for truth and justice, for mercy and charity come to you
from a faith that remains a mighty force for good in your kingdom, to the great
benefit of Christians and non-Christians alike.
Holyroodhouse recalls the ‘Holy Cross’ and points to the deep Christian roots
that are still present in every layer of British life. The monarchs of England
and Scotland have been Christians from very early times and include outstanding
saints like Edward the Confessor and Margaret of Scotland. … Many of them
consciously exercised their sovereign duty in the light of the Gospel, and in
this way shaped the nation for good at the deepest level. As a result, the
Christian message has been an integral part of the language, thought and
culture of the peoples of these islands for more than a thousand years. Your
forefathers’ respect for truth and justice, for mercy and charity come to you
from a faith that remains a mighty force for good in your kingdom, to the great
benefit of Christians and non-Christians alike.
Today, the United Kingdom
strives to be a modern and multicultural society. In this challenging
enterprise, may it always maintain its respect for those traditional values and
cultural expressions that more aggressive forms of secularism no longer value or
even tolerate. Let it not obscure the Christian foundation that underpins its
freedoms; and may that patrimony, which has always served the nation well,
constantly inform the example your government and people set before the two
billion members of the Commonwealth and the great family of English-speaking
nations throughout the world.
strives to be a modern and multicultural society. In this challenging
enterprise, may it always maintain its respect for those traditional values and
cultural expressions that more aggressive forms of secularism no longer value or
even tolerate. Let it not obscure the Christian foundation that underpins its
freedoms; and may that patrimony, which has always served the nation well,
constantly inform the example your government and people set before the two
billion members of the Commonwealth and the great family of English-speaking
nations throughout the world.