CENTENARY CELEBRATION: This month sees the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations being established between the United Kingdom and the Holy See. To mark the occasion a solemn celebration of Mass was held at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on December 3 which was attended by Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews & Edinburgh, himself a former senior Vatican diplomat. “It was a pleasure to return to Rome for this important occasion, having collaborated personally with the United Kingdom over the years, most recently in the run up to the Apostolic Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom in 2010,” said Archbishop Cushley. The main celebrant at the centenary Mass the Holy Sees Secretary of State, Cardinal Piero Parolin. He was joined by Archbishop Antonio Mennini, Papal Nuncio to the United Kingdom, as well as bishops from Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland including Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow. The event was coordinated by the UK Ambassador to the Holy See, Nigel Baker. “The Papal Visit itself and the frequent high level contacts and exchanges since then have been the natural fruit of the gradual strengthening of relations between the UK and the Holy See established a century ago”, added Archbishop Cushley. “Perhaps we could even see the appointment of the first ever British-born Secretary for Relations with States – the Vaticans foreign minister – Archbishop Paul Gallagher of Liverpool, in this context. “I wish Ambassador Baker and Archbishop Mennini every success in their important tasks”.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 12:53:31 +0000
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