Scottish Catholic Observer

Cardinal Keith O’Brien has made a stirring defence of the Christian faith, saying religious freedoms in the United Kingdom are not as they ‘should be.’

Speaking at the annual Carol Service for Christians in Government at Westminster Cathedral, London, Cardinal O’Brien said it was vital the politicians present sought to uphold ‘freedom of religious expression.’ The cardinal told an audience of around 1800 including Home Secretary Theresa May MP, Cabinet secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell and the Attorney General Dominic Grieve MP that whether ‘priest or politician’ they had a ‘common vocation’ to follow God’s way.

Under attack

The main thrust of the cardinal’s address was the assault on Christians in British public life.

“Our own Christians in politics do sometimes risk public ridicule, loss of office, being overlooked for promotion, and so on because of their beliefs,” he said.

In response the cardinal said he had backed the Westminster 2010 Declaration of Christian liberties, and urged all those present to do the same.

“I ask you to consider endorsing [the declaration] as it does uphold the rights of conscience of all peoples particularly those in positions of responsibility and especially concerning Christian beliefs and values, and the dignity of human life and marriage,” he said. “The declaration calls upon all those in positions of leadership, responsibility and influence in the UK to pledge to respect, uphold and protect the rights of Christians to hold their beliefs and to act according to their Christian conscience.”

The cardinal said he believed the declaration was a ‘timely initiative’ as Christians in Scotland and the UK were no longer willing to tolerate the abuse they routinely received.

“Within the last week Christians across the UK have endorsed the Not Ashamed campaign urging us all not to be ashamed of our Christian heritage, while in Scotland Catholics have raised their voices against sectarianism and intolerance directed against the Church,” he said. “Clearly, these actions show that freedom of religious expression, a basic human right, is not upheld in our midst as widely and as completely as it should be.”

Papal concern

The cardinal also said that Pope Benedict XVI’s speech at Westminster Hall earlier this year spoke urgently to these very concerns.

“It was an unforgettable moment for so many of us when the elderly slightly stooped figure of the Pope clad in white was outlined against the vivid red carpet in a packed Westminster Hall —reminding so many of us of that figure of Jesus standing before Pilate as He was condemned to death,” he said. “One might say that Pope Benedict XVI had similarly been condemned over the years and especially since his election as Pope for his views and for his outspoken ways of proclaiming the ‘truth’ of Jesus Christ and His teaching. It almost seemed that, as his words were proclaimed, that he was in turn defending his message of truth.”

The cardinal said he had never been shy about proclaiming God’s Word himself.

“I myself have not been slow in proclaiming the Christian message,” he said. “One Easter time in my own cathedral I indicated that I saw the letters P and C as standing not for ‘political correctness’ but rather for ‘proclaiming Christianity.’ That is certainly at the basis of our vocation as Christians in politics.”

Christian message

In closing, Cardinal O’Brien, told those present, to think on the vital nature of the Christian message as they ‘pray before the cribs and various nativity scenes in our homes, our churches and public places’ in the coming weeks.

“As we do let us pray for those whom we are called upon to serve and for our own role in service,” he said. “Let us ask the good Lord to strengthen us in our own living out of our baptismal vocation so that we will never be afraid to proclaim Christ so that in our acts and our words we live out the message of the Saviour of the world born among us in poverty and simplicity 2000 years ago.”

The service was organised by the non-denominational group Christians in government that works to support Christian civil servants. The service raised more than £3000 for the charity Christians Against Poverty.

While in London the cardinal also addressed Scottish MPs and had individual meetings with Michael Moore, the Secretary of State for Scotland and Ann McKechin, the Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, as well as with Jim Murphy, the Shadow Secretary of State for Defence.

The cardinal also took time to meet with the executive of the Catholic Union, representatives of ‘Catholic Voices’ and several pro-life groups, including Care Not Killing.

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—     Pic: Paul McSherry