Scotsman.com News - Scotland - Cardinal asks councils not to shun Jesus on his birthday
Cardinal asks councils not to shun Jesus on his birthday
EDDIE BARNES
POLITICAL EDITOR
TO SOME it is a time for opening expensive presents, eating turkey and watching Only Fools and Horses.
For others it is the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus and reawaken more spiritual values in an increasingly secular world.
Now one of Scotland’s religious leaders is to attempt to reverse the secular tide by urging councils to "re-christianise" Christmas.
Cardinal Keith O’Brien will this week court controversy by asking Scotland’s local authorities to place nativity scenes in town centres to ensure that bargain-hunting shoppers cannot avoid the real reason for the festive season.
The head of Scotland’s Catholic Church also wants civic Christmas cards to display an explicitly Christian message, rather than simply "Season’s Greetings," to remind the public about the Christmas story.
The Cardinal says his call is part of a wider attempt to draw attention to Scotland’s Christian heritage, which he believes is becoming increasingly overshadowed.
But a row over his actions was already under way last night with critics arguing that church leaders could no longer claim to have a prominent role in a largely secular Scotland.
In his letter to councils, the Cardinal will point out that more than 600,000 Scots still attend church on a weekly basis - offering proof that Scotland remains a predominantly-Christian country. He insists their voice should be heard during Christianity’s most popular festival.
Speaking to Scotland on Sunday, O’Brien said: "This is just about saying to councils that for all the thousands of pounds that are spent on trees and lights, perhaps a small amount could go on things like a Nativity scene."
Cardinal asks councils not to shun Jesus on his birthday
EDDIE BARNES
POLITICAL EDITOR
TO SOME it is a time for opening expensive presents, eating turkey and watching Only Fools and Horses.
For others it is the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus and reawaken more spiritual values in an increasingly secular world.
Now one of Scotland’s religious leaders is to attempt to reverse the secular tide by urging councils to "re-christianise" Christmas.
Cardinal Keith O’Brien will this week court controversy by asking Scotland’s local authorities to place nativity scenes in town centres to ensure that bargain-hunting shoppers cannot avoid the real reason for the festive season.
The head of Scotland’s Catholic Church also wants civic Christmas cards to display an explicitly Christian message, rather than simply "Season’s Greetings," to remind the public about the Christmas story.
The Cardinal says his call is part of a wider attempt to draw attention to Scotland’s Christian heritage, which he believes is becoming increasingly overshadowed.
But a row over his actions was already under way last night with critics arguing that church leaders could no longer claim to have a prominent role in a largely secular Scotland.
In his letter to councils, the Cardinal will point out that more than 600,000 Scots still attend church on a weekly basis - offering proof that Scotland remains a predominantly-Christian country. He insists their voice should be heard during Christianity’s most popular festival.
Speaking to Scotland on Sunday, O’Brien said: "This is just about saying to councils that for all the thousands of pounds that are spent on trees and lights, perhaps a small amount could go on things like a Nativity scene."
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