Scottish advisers to the Pope have warned him against taking confrontational stances in his remarks when he visits Scotland later this month. Professor John Haldane, a professor of philosophy at the University of St Andrews who was appointed to the Pontifical Council for Culture in 2005 has advised the Vatican that the Pope should appear friendly to members of other faiths and people with not faith in his speeches.
Haldane told Scotland on Sunday he has advised the Vatican that the Pope talks about “the human quest for meaning” and says “there's a basis for mutual respect and toleration” which he recognizes.
The Humanist Society of Scotland which is an atheist organization is planning protests during the Papal visit.
Benedict XVI is due to address an audience of 85,000 in Glasgow during an open-air Mass on 16 September.
Iain Banks, the Scottish novelist who supports the HSS, described the Pope as “a fairly unpleasant individual” saying “the entire Roman Catholic hierarchy has been tainted by its reaction to the various abuse scandals, and the whole institution is essentially inane, preposterous and reactionary”.
Benedict will also face demonstrations by two protestant organizations in Glasgow and by Protest the Pope movement in both the capital and Edinburgh.
The four-day visit of the Pope to Britain is expected to cost the country £7 million with more than 4,000 officers tasked with providing him with security.
SIC: PTV/UK