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   RELIGION IS A GUARANTEE OF AUTHENTIC LIBERTY AND RESPECT   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 16 SEP 2010 (VIS) - At 3.15 p.m. today, the Pope left Edinburgh   
   by car for Bellahouston Park in Glasgow where he arrived an hour later. Having   
   driven through the park, greeting and blessing the 70,000 faithful present, he   
   celebrated Mass in honour of St. Ninian of Galloway, apostle of Scotland (360-   
   432).   
      
   Recalling John Paul II's historic 1982 visit during which he had called the   
   faithful to walk hand in hand with their fellow Christians, the Pope noted how   
   this "has led to greater trust and friendship with the members of the Church of   
   Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and others".   
      
   Benedict XVI also greeted representatives of other Christian confessions   
   present at the ceremony. "Let us give thanks to God", he said, "for the promise   
   which ecumenical understanding and co-operation represents for a united witness   
   to the saving truth of God's word in today's rapidly changing society".   
      
   On the subject of education he noted how "in the last thirty years, and with   
   the assistance of civil authorities, Scottish Catholic schools have taken up   
   the challenge of providing an integral education to greater numbers of   
   students".   
      
   "I encourage the Catholic professionals, politicians and teachers of Scotland   
   never to lose sight of their calling to use their talents and experience in the   
   service of the faith, engaging contemporary Scottish culture at every level",   
   he said.   
      
   "The evangelisation of culture is all the more important in our times, when a   
   'dictatorship of relativism' threatens to obscure the unchanging truth about   
   man's nature, his destiny and his ultimate good. There are some who now seek to   
   exclude religious belief from public discourse, to privatise it or even to   
   paint it as a threat to equality and liberty. Yet religion is in fact a   
   guarantee of authentic liberty and respect, leading us to look upon every   
   person as a brother or sister. For this reason I appeal in particular to you,   
   the lay faithful, ... not only to be examples of faith in public, but also to   
   put the case for the promotion of faith's wisdom and vision in the public   
   forum.   
      
   "Society today", the Pope added, "needs clear voices which propose our right to   
   live, not in a jungle of self-destructive and arbitrary freedoms, but in a   
   society which works for the true welfare of its citizens and offers them   
   guidance and protection in the face of their weakness and fragility. Do not be   
   afraid to take up this service to your brothers and sisters, and to the future   
   of your beloved nation".   
      
   Addressing Scottish bishops, Benedict XVI reminded them that one of their   
   primary pastoral duties is the sanctification of priests. "Pray with them for   
   vocations", he said.   
      
   And he told Scottish priests that "you are called to holiness and to serve   
   God's people by modelling your lives on the mystery of the Lord's cross. Preach   
   the Gospel with a pure heart and a clear conscience. Dedicate yourselves to God   
   alone and you will become shining examples to young men of a holy, simple and   
   joyful life: they, in their turn, will surely wish to join you in your   
   single-minded service of God's people".   
      
   The Pope concluded his homily with some remarks addressed to the young   
   Catholics of Scotland. "There are", he noted, "many temptations placed before   
   you every day - drugs, money, sex, pornography, alcohol - which the world tells   
   you will bring you happiness, yet these things are destructive and divisive.   
   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".   
      
   "I pray that many of you will know and love Jesus Christ and, through that   
   encounter, will dedicate yourselves completely to God, especially those of you   
   who are called to the priesthood and religious life".   
      
   After Mass, the Pope travelled by plane from Glasgow to London's Heathrow   
   airport. From there he went to the apostolic nunciature where he spent the   
   night.   
   PV-UNITED KINGDOM/VIS 20100917 (710)   
      
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