THE TELEGRAPH: The Pope strongly criticised the “marginalisation” of Christianity in modern Britain, claiming that churchgoers were forced to act against their conscience in the name of secular equality.
Delivering the most important speech of his historic visit, he attacked the politically correct ideas that Christmas should not be celebrated for fear of offending minorities and that the faithful should be forced to keep their beliefs to themselves.
Speaking in Westminster Hall before an audience including four former prime ministers, the Pope declared that politicians must not interfere with the running of Roman Catholic institutions, in what would be seen as a reference to those adoption agencies and faith schools that felt under attack from the previous Labour government.
He spoke earlier in the day of the threat posed by “aggressive secularism”, words that were echoed by Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks. Cheering crowds had lined the streets of London to welcome Benedict XVI, first in Twickenham, then in the centre of the capital. >>> Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent | Friday, September 17, 2010
BBC: Papal visit: Pope Benedict in London (with video) >>> | Friday, September 17, 2010
