Thursday, June 10, 2010

Protest over UK papal visit

FREE Presbyterian church leaders have affirmed their determination to protest against Pope Benedict's planned visit to the UK in September.

Speaking on behalf of the Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, the Rev Ron Johnstone said: "We publicly disassociate ourselves from and condemn those church leaders who will welcome and meet him."

The Free Presbyterian moderator also criticised the "false doctrines of the papacy" and added: "By their actions they not only give credence to his spurious claims — but are betraying the very creeds they once professed to believe, teach and defend."

Ministers and elders of the church took the decision to condemn the visit at a meeting on Friday.

The Rev Johnstone added: "As reformed evangelical Protestants we totally reject the arrogant and, more importantly, unscriptural titles and claims of the Pope.

"Those claims, historically viewed as blasphemous by Protestant churches, mean that his visit can not be construed as simply pastoral."

The Pope is scheduled a four-day visit England and Scotland later this year.

Speaking of the planned protests, Rev Johnstone said: "We intend, in the coming weeks, to highlight the contrast between the teaching of scripture and the false doctrines of the papacy.

"Our supreme aim and overriding concern is to exalt the only King and head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ."

The moderator added: "We will therefore, at this time, call all people to a personal faith in the Saviour as the only mediator between God and men."

As well as attending Westminster Abbey for evening prayer on the second day of his visit, the Pope will meet with the bishops of England, Scotland and Wales before returning to Rome from Birmingham airport on Sunday, September 19.

The Orange Order has also spoken out against the planned visit.

When the trip was announced earlier this year the Order said that while the Institution recognises the "civil and religious rights of all", it could not "welcome or agree with the visit of the Pope to this country".

SIC: BN