The Pope's visit 2010

The Pope: 17th September 2010:
I am convinced that .. there are many areas in which the Church and the public authorities can work together for the good of citizens.

Yet “I cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalization of religion, particularly of Christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance. There are those who would advocate that the voice of religion be silenced, or at least relegated to the purely private sphere. There are those who argue that the public celebration of festivals such as Christmas should be discouraged, in the questionable belief that it might somehow offend those of other religions or none. And there are those who argue – paradoxically with the intention of eliminating discrimination – that Christians in public roles should be required at times to act against their conscience. These are worrying signs of a failure to appreciate not only the rights of believers to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, but also the legitimate role of religion in the public square. I would invite all of you, therefore, within your respective spheres of influence, to seek ways of promoting and encouraging dialogue between faith and reason at every level of national life.

“The angels looking down on us from the magnificent ceiling of this ancient [Westminster] Hall remind us of the long tradition from which British Parliamentary democracy has evolved. They remind us that God is constantly watching over us to guide and protect us. And they summon us to acknowledge the vital contribution that religious belief has made and can continue to make to the life of the nation.” [from the Pope’s speech 17th September 2010]

Sunday 19 September 2010 Prime Minister’s farewell speech to Pope Benedict XVI:

“Your Holiness ..you have offered a message not just to the Catholic Church but to each and every one of us of every faith and none. A challenge to us all to follow our conscience, to ask not what are my entitlements, but what are my responsibilities? to ask not what we can do for ourselves, but what we can do for others?

“For many, faith is a spur to action. It shapes their beliefs and behaviour; and it gives them a sense of purpose... it ...inspires them to help others. And we should celebrate that. Faith is part of the fabric of our country. It always has been and it always will be.

“But people do not have to share a religious faith or agree with religion on everything to see the benefit of asking the searching questions that … your Holiness, [has] posed to us about our society and how we treat ourselves and each other. You have really challenged the whole country to sit up and think, and that can only be a good thing.”

But a generally good thing only becomes your personal goodness when you respond to it. An unopened present gives no blessing. Jesus Christ is God's good gift of love and life offered freely to you. Will you receive the gift or will you forever leave it unopened?