The Hype About Tomorrow

It's not my intention with this post to upset any of my Roman Catholic readers, but I do think the hype surrounding the Pope's visit to the UK, which starts in Scotland tomorrow, hasn't done the Catholic religion any favours.

The BBC announced earlier that 65,000 will turn out to hear the head of their church speak, yet there have been several articles which contradict this number. The capacity has been reduced from 100,000 to 85,000 according to the BBC a few days ago, and now 65,000 because of the slow take-up of tickets.

Tonight Channel 4 broadcast an item stating that Catholics priests, who have served prison sentences of over 12 months for child abuse, are still within the confines of the church and entitled to use their titles. The Catholic church insists these men are no longer involved in communities but they miss the point don't they? Why do they think they, as a religion, are better equipped to deal with child abusers than our police and probation services?

Pope Benedict was part of the hierarchy of the Catholic church when these decisions were made yet there are no records that he protested. Survivors have called for the Pope to hand over all information regarding child abuse within the church, but I feel they're onto a loser. The Catholic church has no intention of coming clean where their priests are concerned. Why should they? If they did decide to do so then they would be signing a warrant for their own demise and nobody is foolish enough to do that - least of all the biggest religion business in the world.

A key Pope aid has pulled out of the visit to Britain after calling the UK a 'third world nation'. In an article for the German magazine Focus, headline 'Third World Land' Cardinal Kasper hit out at the atmosphere of 'aggressive atheism' in Britain and said 'Christians were at a disadvantage. When you land at Heathrow you think you are in a Third World land." No wonder he's opted out of the performance.

Will this state visit boost the Catholic church's coffers? In the short term yes because 65,000 people have paid to hear him speak in Glasgow and he intends to do another couple of shows in England before he returns to the comfort of his empire, but I do feel that many Roman Catholics now have doubts about their religious leaders. Who wouldn't, when they refuse to allow women anywhere near their hallowed halls? What do their fear from having women present in their hierarchy? So many questions and yet no answers.

At least this visit to the UK will ensure this is paid in full.

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Coming to a Venue Near You

Only last night I was talking to a friend on the telephone about religion. She mentioned she'd cancelled her visit to hear the Pope in Glasgow next week. Thinking perhaps she had a medical problem I asked why and her reply related to this. She felt she was being treated as a punter rather than a devout Catholic.

I'm paraphrasing but her comment was, "I don't have to travel 200 miles and spend £100 to listen to someone who treats me like a pop fan, although perhaps it's a sign that I looked more closely at my religious beliefs."

How could the largest religious business in the world could get it so wrong?

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The £25 Pilgrim Pack

Swiss Guard outside St Peter's Basilica

Photo ALAMY

The Pope is due to visit Britain later this year and the faithful are to be charged up to £25 a head to see Benedict XVI. It will be the first time pilgrims have been charged to attend events during a papal visit and the charges reflect mounting concerns about the costs of the trip.

Charges will be made for two events: a prayer vigil in London's Hyde Park on 18 September and the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman in Birmingham the following day. Church officials said the charges are for transportation to the London and Birmingham events but that pilgrims who want to attend must join a parish group and cannot travel independently. They said the charges were being made because the pilgrims would be 'journeying' to see the Pope, just as ancient pilgrims did and would be provided with a 'pilgrim pack'.

The Vatican has been alarmed by the costs of the visit, with the most recent estimates suggesting it will have to find £14m while taxpayers are facing a £20m bill.

The faithful will pay up without complaint no doubt. That's the reason why the Vatican is one of the wealthiest businesses in the world.

Not surprisingly the Vatican appear to have banned 'immodestly' dressed tourists from the entire Vatican City State. For many years those wishing to visit St Peter's Basilica have been required to dress modestly but recently the guards drew aside men in shorts and women with uncovered shoulders and short skirts to tell them they were not dressed properly. Some of the female visitors bought shawls and scarves from nearby sellers (possibly at exorbitant prices) while a few men had to wander off to the nearest shops to buy long trousers.

So be warned. If you intend to visit the Vatican City when in Rome cover up or it could cost you far more than you thought. Why do the words Vatican City and cover up ring a bell with me?

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The Vatican and the Silly Civil Servant

It has been arranged for some time that the Pope, Benedict the XVI, will visit Scotland in September.

Now, after a silly youngster in the Foreign Office recorded all suggestions of a brainstorming session entitled: 'The Ideal Visit should see', the Vatican are threatening to cancel the visit.

This is the full content of The Ideal Visit should see memo:

Launch of Benedict condoms

Review of Vatican attitude on condom use

Bless a civil partnership

Reversal of policy on women bishops/ ordain women

Open an abortion ward

Speech on equality

Statement on views over adoption (change of stance

Training course for all bishops on child abuse allegations

Harder line on child abuse - announce sacking of dodgy bishops

Vatican sponsorship for network of AIDS clinics

Meet young unemployed people

Apologise for ...

Canonise/pseudo canonise a group

Announce whistle blowing system for child abuse cases

Go to job centre

Debate on abortion

All catholic school should be free entry to all

Speech on democracy

Vatican and C of E funded committee on Dialogue

Launch helpline for abused children

It is understandable why the Vatican, or anyone of the Roman Catholic religion would be taken aback by some of the ideas, but to take offence to the degree of considering cancelling the event is an overreaction. Many will be looking forward to this visit yet some Roman Catholics are still bewildered as to why no one in the Vatican took serious action against priests who interfered with children.

The taxpayers are paying for this visit, not the Vatican which, as we all know, is the wealthiest business in the world.

I should like to think a few of the hundreds of robed men who inhabit the palatial buildings around St Peter's Square had a bit of a chuckle at the whole list. If not they should get out more. As for the Vatican and the threats of being so grossly offended, I suggest some pray for a sense of humour - it's a splendid characteristic.

A message to the silly civil servant - beware, the Righteous are out to get anyone who doesn't follow their rules.

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