Meeting of the Parliament [Draft]

Meeting date: Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Official Report 1122KB pdf

Time for Reflection

The first item of business is time for reflection, for which our leader is the Rev Father Matthew Carlin, parish priest of St Francis of Assisi parish, Port Glasgow.

Presiding Officer and members, thank you for allowing me to address you today. The third time that I met Pope Benedict XVI was particularly memorable because it was in Bellahouston park, in Glasgow. I am sure that, following his death on 31 December 2022, many around the country thought back to the state visit that he made to the United Kingdom in September 2010. I was in seminary at the time and had the privilege of serving at the altar when, in the course of his visit, the Pope came to Glasgow and celebrated mass in the same location as his predecessor, John Paul II, had done in 1982. My own part in Pope Benedict’s historic visit was not what you would call a starring role—I was candle carrier number 6.

In his homily at mass in Bellahouston park, then in speeches and talks that were delivered in London and Birmingham, Pope Benedict challenged us all to focus on what really matters, to raise our gaze and to strive for lives of authentic goodness and true joy. This we can do by rejecting a vision of life that measures happiness in terms of power, prestige and possessions. Those things are fleeting and can never satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart for peace and happiness. Instead, as Pope Benedict said to the young people who were gathered in Glasgow:

“There is only one thing which lasts: the love of Jesus Christ personally for each one of you. Search for him, know him and love him, and he will set you free from slavery to the glittering but superficial existence frequently proposed by today’s society. Put aside what is worthless and learn of your own dignity as children of God.”

Recognising the unique dignity and infinite worth of each and every person is a guiding principle for seeking the common good, which should be at the heart of the work of legislating and governing. That was recalled by Benedict XVI in his address at Westminster Hall as he invited lawmakers to recognise and respect the ethical underpinnings of democracy. It is, he argued, only when public authorities and religious bodies—including the Catholic Church—respect each other’s competence and limitations that they can co-operate for the common good. He said:

“In this way, such basic rights as religious freedom, freedom of conscience and freedom of association are guaranteed.”

It is my prayer today that such fruitful co-operation may continue to thrive in Scotland. Thank you.