UK-based Pinoys playing active part in papal visit

Known for their religiosity, Filipinos based in the United Kingdom are taking part in activities related to Pope Benedict XVI's visit there. British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie said the Pope’s visit is an opportunity for the celebration of Catholicism in the United Kingdom. “I’m sure that at the different Masses during the Pope’s visit, the Filipinos will be singing the loudest and most beautifully," Lillie said in an article posted Thursday night on the Union of Catholic Asian News website. http://www.ucanews.com/2010/09/16/popes-uk-visit-a-particular-joy-for-filipinos/ Lillie added the visit will be a special event for Filipinos who he said are “playing (a) major role" in Britain’s Catholic Church. He said there are about 190,000 Filipino Catholics working in Britain, comprising about three percent of the British Catholic population. “Filipinos are playing a part in the renewal of the next phase of the life of Britain’s Catholic Church," he said. He added that for the British people, the Pope’s historical visit will send out a “strong message" on the importance of faith and religion in building strong communities. Lillie said the Pope’s visit is also an opportunity for a “deeper dialogue" between the United Kingdom and the Vatican on an array of issues. British officials will be discussing with the Pope the Millennium Development Goals, including ways to fight poverty, improve education, and the importance of women’s and children’s health. Pope Benedict XVI will commence his visit in Edinburgh, where he will meet with Scottish Catholic Church officials before heading to Glasgow in the afternoon to preach at an open air Mass in Bellahouston Park in the day. He will then fly to London, where he will meet the Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, Prime Minister David Cameron and other dignitaries, and preside again at an open air Mass in Hyde Park. The Pope’s visit will end on Sunday in Birmingham where he will beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman and lead another liturgical celebration in Crofton Park. — LBG, GMANews.TV