This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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FM to attend Pope's funeral
06/04/2005
First Minister Jack McConnell will be in Rome on Friday
as part of the UK representation at the Pope's funeral.
At a special Requiem Mass in St Mary's Cathdral in
Edinburgh on Monday evening, Mr McConnell said:
"We are
gathered here tonight to share our sadness and mourn the
passing of Pope John Paul II. But we also gather to
celebrate, and give thanks for, a great life, a life that
touched the lives of Catholics and non-Catholics the world
over.
"Across
Scotland , the deep sadness felt throughout the Roman
Catholic community is shared by others within the Christian
faith, by those of other faiths, and indeed by those of no
faith at all.
"Pope John
Paul II had won the respect and affection of even those who
did not agree with all he believed.
"He was a
humble and compassionate man, he led the church with a
consistency of purpose, but also with humanity and
understanding.
"His courage
and devotion to duty, in the face of his growing infirmity
was inspirational to many. His passing leaves a huge gap on
the world stage.
"No previous
Pope had travelled so far, or engaged so widely. As a Pole,
he understood the importance of national identity and of
dialogue.
"So, he took
the Church and his Papacy to every part of the World, and
reached out to other faiths.
"In
particular, he extended the hand of friendship to Jews and
Muslims in the Middle East .
"And here in
Scotland , his visit in 1982 marked a new era for Scotland
's Catholic Community, but also a new era for interfaith
dialogue and activity. Growing confidence within the
Community, but growing confidence to reach across faiths
too.
"Here in
Edinburgh , he urged Christians and others to discuss their
disagreements, but also to work together on those matters
where they shared common cause. And they have done so, not
least in campaigning to Make Poverty History - just as the
Pope himself demanded the rich west recognise its
obligations.
"When Pope
John Paul II left Scotland , we were a wiser, more caring
country. His words and his charisma had struck a chord
amongst those young people at Murrayfield Stadium, and the
families at Bellahouston Park , but they had also reached
far beyond them too.
"He left
Scotland a legacy from which we have all benefited, but I
think Scotland left a mark on him too.
"Tonight
here in Edinburgh , twin city of Krakow , we do reflect on
the gap he leaves behind, and we wish Cardinal O'Brien and
his colleagues well in the days ahead.
"But more
than anything we celebrate the life of a remarkable human
being, the changes he inspired in Poland and Eastern Europe
, the dialogue he opened up and the impact he had on all
who met him.
"Pope John
Paul II has gone from this earth, but here in Scotland and
elsewhere, he will never be forgotten."