'the increasing tide of secularism'
Tom Peterkin - Scotsman - 6th February 2010
Scotland
is a country plagued by sectarianism and struggling with a
rising "tide of secularism", the Pope has declared, in an address to
the country's Catholic bishops in Rome. The Pontiff ended months of
speculation when he confirmed he was to visit
Scotland later this year.But in remarks that contrast with those of John Paul II, the last pope to visit Scotland, Benedict XVI attacked proposed new laws, and said the country was battling with sectarianism as a result of a "great rupture" with its Catholic past.
The Pope urged his Scottish bishops to "grapple firmly with the challenges presented by the increasing tide of secularism in your country".
He also used his speech to condemn euthanasia – comments widely interpreted as a criticism of Margo MacDonald's attempt to pass an assisted suicide bill at Holyrood.
"Support for euthanasia strikes at the very heart of the Christian understanding of the dignity of human life," the Pope said.
He also drew attention to Scotland's Protestant-Catholic religious divide when he looked back to the Reformation of 1560.
"The Church in your country, like many in Northern Europe, has suffered the tragedy of division," he said. "It is sobering to recall the great rupture with Scotland's Catholic past that occurred 450 years ago."
He acknowledged that progress had been made to close the divide but stressed that sectarianism remained a Scottish problem.
"I give thanks to God for the progress that has been made in healing the wounds that were the legacy of that period, especially the sectarianism that has continued to rear its head even in recent times," he said.
The Pope also paid tribute to what he said was the role played by Scotland's Catholic schools in overcoming sectarianism – an analysis that will not be shared by critics of schooling along religious lines.
But in a statement that accepted his views were not shared by all, he said: "All too often, the Church's doctrine is perceived as a series of prohibitions and retrograde positions, whereas the reality, as we know, is that it is creative and life-giving, and it is directed towards the fullest possible realisation of the great potential for good and for happiness that God has implanted within every one of us."
The Pope's willingness to embrace contentious subjects has prompted concern that his trip will not be met with the rapture that greeted the previous papal visit. His predecessor John Paul II's pastoral trip in 1982 prompted euphoria among the hundreds of thousands of people who flocked to Glasgow's Bellahouston Park and Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.
Even before yesterday's remarks, Benedict XVI's visit to the UK was already set to be highly controversial.
He is likely to meet a wave of demonstrations across Britain after he condemned Labour's equality laws earlier this week. Humanists, gay groups and academics joined politicians in criticising his unprecedented intervention in domestic politics.
In a lecture to English Catholic bishops in Rome on Sunday, the Pope described Harriet Harman's Equality Bill as "unjust", a restriction on religious freedom and a violation of "the natural law" – in other words, Christian teaching.
Benedict XVI's attack came as Ms Harman tries to convince Christian leaders that the Equality Bill will not damage their rights to refuse to hire homosexual staff.
In Scotland yesterday, the Pope was urged to "relax", following his lament that Scotland was losing touch with religion.
Patrick Harvie, the leader of the Green Party, said: "I agree Scotland is a more secular society, but I think that's a very good thing for equality in all its forms and for all religions. I would invite his Holiness to relax about this social change and enjoy it. I would acknowledge sectarianism is a problem, but there are other forms of racism that are bigger problems."
He added: "Nevertheless, I think this is an interesting contribution, and maybe some people will find his words provocative."
His views on euthanasia were disputed by Ms MacDonald, the MSP who has been campaigning for terminally ill people to have the right to end their own lives.
She said it was "logical" for Catholic bishops to discuss the issue at their meeting but added: "
When the Pope refers to euthanasia, that is death brought about not on the wishes of the person concerned, but by another person who takes the decision.
"My bill rests on the autonomy of the person concerned, and their capacity to make their wishes known after medical examination and after satisfying witnesses they have not been coerced or persuaded to end their life. It appears as though the Pope is unaware of the difference."
Ian Wilson, Grand Master of the Orange Order in Scotland, disagreed with the Pope's description of a sectarian Scotland.
"I have never recognised that Scotland," he said.
"It might have been the Scotland of about a generation ago, but modern Scotland has lifted its sights above sectarianism.
"That's not to say that it still doesn't exist, but talking it up like this can be dangerous and we should be cautious."
The pontiff was invited to the UK by Prime Minister Gordon Brown during a private audience in February.
A spokesman for the Church of Scotland said they "rejoiced" with Catholics over the fact the Pope was coming. "The last time a pope visited Scotland, it had a strong influence on ecumenical links and we hope this will be the case again," a spokesman said.
Martin Keane, Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland, said: "Rather than having just one church, there should be a focus on co-operation. When Pope John Paul II came to Scotland, he talked about walking hand in hand in pilgrimage, and that gave great impetus to the ecumenical movement in Scotland in terms of the Catholic Church's involvement."
See also:
The Pope's plot
Secularism
Religion in Scotland
Catholic bishop hits out at 'gay conspiracy' to destroy Christianity
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