Vatican Radio Interviews Benedictine Father Christopher Jamison on the Pope's U.K. Visit

Herewith the introductory blurb:

Benedictine Father Christopher Jamison is the former Abbot of Worth Abbey in West Sussex, England. He is also very well known for the making – together with the BBC – of a television series entitled “The Monastery”. Vatican Radio’s Philippa Hitchen asked Father Jamison what kind of reception is Pope Benedict XVIth going to receive when he touches down in the UK …
“The Prime Minster, David Cameron, has today posted on the official “N. 10 Downing Street” website a message of welcome from the PM to his Holiness (…) the fact that the government is so positive about it is really important…”
“…the government is clear that they would like him to explain how a faith community can be a positive contributer to the wellbeing of the United Kingdom and to the wellbeing of the world…”
“when you have a country which has turned its back on religion, you will immediately have an upsurge in spirituality because that dimension of humanity cannot be suppressed. So, while Britain may be the least religious country in Europe, it is also the most likely population to say: “I’m spiritual but not religious”, and so there is that spirituality – whatever we mean by that term – which is a fruitful field in which to plant the words of a truly humane religious understanding…”

Listen to it all (Both MP3 and Realplayer audio available, lasts just over 10 minutes).

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, * Religion News & Commentary, England / UK, Other Churches, Pope Benedict XVI, Religion & Culture, Roman Catholic