Glasgow (AsiaNews)-Benedict XVI has asked Christians to evangelize the culture of our age, where a "”dictatorship of relativism” threatens to obscure the unchanging truth about man’s nature, his destiny and his ultimate good." He also urged everyone not to "fear of being a lone voice," and invited youth to reject drugs, money, sex, pornography, alcohol, all "destructive things that create division, remaining grounded in the love of Christ.
His strong words were heard by a crowd of 70,000 - perhaps 100,000 - people gathered for the first public Mass celebrated by the pope during his trip to Britain.
Against all odds and the pessimistic and sometimes downright evil predictions of local media since the early afternoon, tens of thousands of faithful - many young people - arrived at Bellahouston Park from Scotland, England and Ireland, to celebrate Mass with the Pope in honour of St. Ninian of Galloway, the first evangelizor of the Celtic people, the apostle of Scotland.
In his homily, Benedict XVI greeted the representatives of various Christian communities present at the event, pointing out that this year is "the centennial of the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh, which is generally regarded as the birth of the modern ecumenical movement." The Pope invited all to ecumenical collaboration for " for a united witness to the saving truth of God’s word in today’s rapidly changing society."
Benedict XVI recalled the founding of three universities in the Middle Ages and the in educational commitment of the Church in Scotland and reclaimed the right of Christians to evangelize the culture.
'The evangelization of culture - he said - is all the more important in our times, when a “dictatorship of relativism” threatens to obscure the unchanging truth about man’s nature, his destiny and his ultimate good. There are some who now seek to exclude religious belief from public discourse, to privatize it or even to paint it as a threat to equality and liberty. Yet religion is in fact a guarantee of authentic liberty and respect, leading us to look upon every person as a brother or sister. "
He therefore urged the faithful to "to put the case for the promotion of faith’s wisdom and vision in the public forum. Society today needs clear voices which propose our right to live, not in a jungle of self-destructive and arbitrary freedoms, but in a society which works for the true welfare of its citizens and offers them guidance and protection in the face of their weakness and fragility".
The Pope, inspired by St. Ninian, invited everyone to imitate him in witnessing the faith in society without "fear of being a lone voice."
Finally, Benedict XVI addressed the "dear young Catholics in Scotland”, present in large numbers at the Mass:" I urge you to live - he said - a life worthy of our Lord (cf. Eph 4:1) and of yourselves. There are many temptations placed before you every day - drugs, money, sex, pornography, alcohol - which the world tells you will bring you happiness, yet these things are destructive and divisive. There is only one thing which lasts: the love of Jesus Christ personally for each one of you. Search for him, know him and love him, and he will set you free from slavery to the glittering but superficial existence frequently proposed by today’s society. Put aside what is worthless and learn of your own dignity as children of God".
At the conclusion of the homily, the pope gave his final blessing in the native Celtic language, " Sìth agus beannachd Dhe dhuibh uile; Dia bhi timcheall oirbh; agus gum beannaicheadh Dia Alba. God’s peace and blessing to you all; God surround you; and may God bless the people of Scotland!".
