We remember Pope Benedict

Alistair Dutton, SCIAF Chief Executive reacted to the death of former Pope Benedict XVI:

"As we hear that former Pope Benedict XVI has died, I would like to give thanks for his life of service to the Church, and the spiritual and intellectual leadership that he provided. 

"A great academic and intellectual, Pope Benedict only wrote three papal encyclicals and two of these he devoted to caritas (love, charity) – love between peoples – the service of those who are poorest and most marginalized.  In his encyclical Deus Caritas Est – God is Love – Pope Benedict coined the phrase “the heart that sees” and exhorted all of us to enrich the professionalism and quality of the care we provide with a love that sees and responds to each person as individuals.

"Here in Scotland we have a very special memory of Pope Benedict’s visit in 2010 and the joyful celebration of the Mass in Bellahouston Park.

"With gratitude we remember Pope Benedict’s long and fruitful life, and pray for the repose of his soul.  May he rest in peace."