So far, the coverage of the papal visit in the Scottish press has appeared to be far less hostile and far less focused on problems connected with the visit. Now, the Herald newspapers even highlight the potential benefits to the local economy of the Pope's visit - a factor that has not been cited in news reports aimed at emphasizing only what the visit will cost.
Papal visit will be
an £8.5M boost for Glasgow
by Brian Currie, Political Editor
26 Jul 2010
Glasgow is Scotland's largest city, and the third most populous in the UK. 2.3 million people - 41% of the Scottish population - live in Greater Glasgow.
The Pope’s visit to Glasgow in September will boost the city’s economy by £4.25 million and is expected to be worth at least as much again in pubicity because of the global audience watching on television and the web.
Officials have yet to identify the overall costs of Pope Benedict’s fleeting visit to the city for an open-air Mass at Bellahouston Park, but they say expenditure will be outweighed by the benefits to the local economy.
Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said the last papal visit in 1982 had generated enormous audiences on television and it is anticipated this year’s event will reach even more because of the internet.
Taylor added: “While the visit will bring £4.25m into the city, the real benefit lies in perhaps a billion people seeing Glasgow on the television and seeing that we are a vibrant and welcoming city.
“Obviously there will be a cost to the city in welcoming someone of the Pope’s stature, and it is too early to say what that cost will be. But you have to weigh that against this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show the world what we can do.”
Lord Provost Bob Winter said the visit was a unique opportunity to place Glasgow in front of a huge worldwide audience.
He said: “The Pope is a major global figure, and we should be honoured and pleased that he is coming to the city as part of his state visit to the UK. The Pope’s visit to Glasgow will benefit the city’s economy by more than £4m, a figure that underlines the importance of attracting major events of all kinds.
“I look forward to the city successfully hosting what will be a memorable occasion. I am certain that our visitors from around Scotland and beyond who will attend the Papal Mass will share the positive impression that so many people coming to Glasgow leave with.”
A city council spokesman said there would be costs associated with the visit but it was too early to say what they would be.
He added: “We are confident that the city’s profile will be raised to a global level around September 16 when the visit takes place and that there will be a significant economic benefit.”
Catholic Church spokesman Peter Kearney said: “More than 100,000 pilgrims from the north of England, Ireland and across Scotland are expected in Bellahouston Park and their time in Glasgow will be of great benefit to many businesses and traders in the city.”
“Because of the Pope’s presence, news bulletins around the world will mention the city to its long-term economic advantage. Such global exposure is invaluable.
“Ultimately, the economic value of the Pope’s visit will dramatically outweigh its costs on a scale that no other global visitor could begin to match. It is a significant and welcome boost.”
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick said the occasion would bring many thousands of people to the city from all over Scotland and beyond.
“Major events are at the heart of Glasgow’s tourism strategy, and the visit will have undoubted economic benefits as visitors spend money in our hotels, restaurants and shops,” he said.
The four-day visit from September 16 to September 19 is the first state visit by a Pope to Britain and the costs will be split between the state and the Church.
It will start in Edinburgh where the Pope will meet the Queen at Holyrood Palace before moving on to Glasgow, London and Birmingham.
In the TOXIC WASTE BIN, I am posting a really lowdown attack on the Pope launched in the form of a book by an Italian-born 'Catholic' writer. From the account by a blogger on Catholic Herald, it's all insinuation, obviously, but still a work of malice that is a companion piece to the Panorama article. It could have been much worse, Fortunately, there's a limit to what can be made up with sheer speculation alone.
Fortunately, here's something to freshen the air after that bit of unpleasantness.... From one of the more diligent blogger priests in the UK:
Brighton parish priest launches
'open letter' for Pope Benedict
from the priests of England and Wales
by Fr. RAY BLAKE, Parish Priest
St Mary Magdalen, Brighton, UK
July 26, 2010
In the morning I had a phone call from a priest reader who was very concerned about the direction was taking in this country. I think quite a few of us concerned - the lukewarm approach to the Pope's visit intensifies that concern. He said we should start something like Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy. I agree with him we really do need something like it, the problem is: who would organise it?
I think maybe, following Professor Beatie's example an open letter might also help. I am more than a little concerned that the address of the Pope's address at the ad limina [visit] of our bishops seems to have been buried, so what do think of this? If you are a priest and you agree, add you name and address. All the quotes are from the Pope's address.
AN OPEN LETTER TO HIS HOLINESS
POPE BENEDICT XVI
We, priests of England and Wales, wish to express our joy at the forthcoming visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Britain.
We welcome the many wise things the Holy Father said to us through our Bishops on their ad limina visit earlier this year which are of particular significance to the health of the Church in England and Wales, such as "the Catholic community in your country needs to speak with a united voice" and the need "to be attentive to the promptings of the Spirit, who guides the whole Church into the truth, gathers her into unity and inspires her with missionary zeal".
More than ever, with the proximity of the Papal visit and anxious for its success we recognise especially the need "to draw on the considerable gifts of the lay faithful in England and Wales".
Concerned for the Church's mission we to see a great need in England and Wales to ensure "that they [not only the lay faithful but we priests] are equipped to hand on the faith to new generations comprehensively, accurately, and with a keen awareness that in so doing they are playing their part in the Church’s mission".
We also acknowledge the importance within our national context of what His Holiness said about the Magisterium, "In a social milieu that encourages the expression of a variety of opinions on every question that arises, it is important to recognize dissent for what it is, and not to mistake it for a mature contribution to a balanced and wide-ranging debate. It is the truth revealed through Scripture and Tradition and articulated by the Church’s Magisterium that sets us free."
We wish to thank His Holiness for encouraging our Bishops to hold up to us "an example of dedication to prayer, pastoral sensitivity towards the needs of his flock, and passion for preaching the Gospel", and also for urging them encourage the faithful "to avoid any temptation to view the clergy as mere functionaries but rather to rejoice in the gift of priestly ministry".
Make a virtual pilgrimage
with the Pope via GoogleEarth
Clicking on each event site on the interactive page will enable further research on each location and event.
A reader of Protect the Pope.com has sent in the following link that enables us to pray for the Holy Father at each site of a papal event.
maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=111051465581092342220.00048b6a31bd6...
Clare Krishan writes, ‘Make a virtual pilgrimage and pray for each of stations on his journey, and learn a lot about regional aspects of the Roman Catholic faith in the UK in the process.’
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 27/07/2010 01:35]