Scottish Catholic Observer

Mr Salmond made the remarks as he hosted a reception at the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle to mark the imminent arrival of Pope Benedict XVI.

The First Minister also paid tribute to individuals and agencies working to ensure the success of the Pope’s visit to Scotland.

He then unveiled a Scottish gift to Pope Benedict, a Celtic-style sandstone block inlaid with granite from St Ninian’s Cave in Dumfriesshire, south-west Scotland, and with a Cross in the style of the Whithorn Stones which were carved by Scotland’s early Christians, before making a presentation to Cardinal O’Brien for his Silver Jubilee as Archbishop of Edinburgh & St Andrews.

To marks his silver jubilee as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Cardinal O’Brien was presented with a framed picture of St Ninian— reproduced from a stained glass window at the Castle’s St Margaret’s Chapel, where earlier in the evening he and the First Minister attended a service celebrating the blessing of a new Scottish Youth Cross, to be taken around Scotland as a focus for prayer and by pilgrims to the Pope’s World Youth Day in Madrid next year.

“As we look forward to the arrival of His Holiness, it is fitting to celebrate what the Catholic Church has contributed to Scotland over the centuries.  Indeed without the Church, there would have been no Scotland as a country in its own right,” the First Minister said in his address.

Mr Salmond also went on to pay tribute to Cardinal O’Brien. “I value the role all our faith communities play in enriching the life of Scotland socially, culturally, and spiritually.  Faith leaders can also hold us to account and challenge those in power,” he said. “Your standing and independence, Cardinal O’Brien, mean that you comment with authority from a faith based perspective and the reason we appreciate it when we are in agreement, is because we know you will not hesitate to point out when you believe we are in error. I value that voice, that perspective from you and from all our faith leaders.”

Guests at the reception were entertained by the choir from St Peter’s Primary in Morningside and George Heriot Pipe Band and were taken on a tour of the Hours of Scotland—including the sceptre  presented to James IV in 1494 by Pope Alexander VI and the Sword presented in 1508 by Pope Julius II—by the cardinal and the First Minister.

Pic: Paul McSherry