Pope Benedict XVI will come to Britain next year, making the first state visit by a pontiff. He is expected to meet the Queen, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and may stay at Buckingham Palace.
The historic event, probably in September, is likely to overshadow even the triumphant pastoral visit of Pope John Paul II in 1982. Unlike John Paul II, whose visit almost did not take place because of the Falklands conflict, the pontiff will meet the Prime Minister in a series of events over three days, which it is hoped will finally consign to the past Britain’s post-Reformation legacy of anti-Catholic prejudice.
Gordon Brown extended an invitation during an audience in February and preparations have been under way for some time. The draft itinerary is understood to include Birmingham, Oxford and Edinburgh. The Pope is not expected to visit Northern Ireland.
“it is hoped will finally consign to the past Britain’s post-Reformation legacy of anti-Catholic prejudice.” It is hoped.
#1
Not a hope. Britain has merely exchange Protestant based anti-Catholicism for secularist based anti-Catholicism.
Well HH is properly Patriarch of the West, which does include the Sceptered Isle, after all.
Remembering respectfully Article XXXVII
http://www.eskimo.com/~lhowell/bcp1662/articles/articles.html#37
His Holiness is a most welcome guest and I hope relations between our churches strengthen. I certainly think it is wonderful that he is coming here.
Pageantmaster, #4,
Thank you for your comment. It’s a position w/ which I disagree, but I’m heartened by seeing it expressed w/ civility and respect. Anti-Catholic bias does present itself now and then in comments on this blog (usually subtly and more often than not, I suspect, w/o the authors’ awareness). So your comment gives me hope that a similar respect and openness will prevail between the entire British people and His Holiness when he visits the U.K.
#5 Monksgate
Thank you – I am sure that is right. HH’s visit will be greeted with warmth by most Christians here, and perhaps by interest and curiosity from those who are not. It can only strengthen the Christian voice in these Isles where we increasingly work together.