St Clement’s, Ewell
Papal Visit
During September 2010 Pope Benedict XVI will be making a vist to the UK at the request of Her Majesty's Government. As well as being the Universal Pastor of the ( Roman) Catholic Church, Pope Benedict is the Sovereign Head of the Vatican State. For the UK this is a state visit: though it will be unlike usual state visits to this country. Very few Heads of State are also heads of Church. Interestingly HM Queen is both Head of State and Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
Papal Visits
Up until the papacy of Paul VI (1965-1978), Popes of the 20th century remained in the Vatican, once they assumed the office of Pope ( as Bishop of Rome). Popes were traditionally known as prisoners of the Vatican,but Paul VI determined to break this mould in the time following the Ecumenical Council, which his predecessor John XXIII had initiated and which Paul brought to completion.
He was the first Pope to address the United Nations General Assembly. He took a message of peace and hope to the nations of the world. He made other visits, using his role as Universal Pastor to speak around the globe.
His successor but one, John Paul II, built upon this lead and travelled extensively. His visits included attendance at World Youth Days and Eucharistic Congresses as well as Synods of Bishops in the Regions. It was in 1982 that John Paul II made a "pastoral" visit to the UK. At the time UK had been involved in a war in the Falklands and the Vatican did not consider a State visit appropriate.
Why Now?
The Pope was invited to come to the UK by former PM George Brown, and agreed with David Cameron, now PM, that the visit would go ahead in the event that the governmnet changed
Many times the British Government and the Holy See (as the Vatican State is known) have found they have had common interests. Their network of diplomats has enabled them to work together on the international stage and to co-operate through international institutions towards common goals. Today they share a concern to combat poverty, protect the environment, advance education and encourage economic development everywhere, which includes eliminating the burden of unfair debt on poor
economies. Both place the defence of human rights in the forefront of their international agendas.Pope Benedict is a champion of the relevance of faith to the healthy evolution of modern societies, addressing such contemporary challenges as the globalised economy. He is also committed to a lasting and deep improvement of relations between faith communities, an issue in which the Catholic Church has gained vast experience all over the world. The Pope’s visit will encourage exchanges on issues of common concern with political leaders.
What is the purpose of the visit?
The visit is taking place under the strap line "Heart speaks unto Heart"
1 To meet HM Queen the Head of State
2 To address Civil Society representatives in Westminster Hall
3 To say mass for a large gathering in Glasgow
4 To lead a vigil of prayer for a large gathering in Central London
5 To meet Church leaders in this Country and leaders of other faiths
6 To say mass with a gathering at Cofton Park, Birmingham, where he will beatify Cardinal J H Newman
Attending events
Since 1982, the level of security provided for visiting Heads of State has increased significantly. Airport style security surrounds Vatican events when hundreds of thousands gather in St Peter's Square.
Events on this visit will be by invitation or by ticket issued via Dioceses to parish groups. Random visitors will not be able to gain access to the sites of major gathering .
How do (Roman) Catholics in UK view the visit?
The Pope is the chief pastor of the Catholic Church. At a diocesan level, Catholics are used to visitations from their local bishop and gatherings at which the Bishop presides.
The visit is a particular opportunity to gather with the Pope(the Bishop of Rome), recognising the universal scope of the Church and its mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all peoples everywhere.
Links
Office Address:
307 Kingston Road
Ewell
Surrey
KT19 0BW