Pope Benedict XVI sends greetings to Edinburgh 2010

For immediate release: 04 June 2010

The Catholic delegation to Edinburgh 2010 is led by Bishop Brian Farrell of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Pope Benedict XVI has sent a formal greeting to delegates, visitors and staff attending the Edinburgh 2010 anniversary event commemorating the World Missionary Conference held at Edinburghin June 1910. The pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church wrote:

‘I send my greetings to those gathered during these days in Scotland for the centennial of the first Edinburgh Missionary Conference, which is now acknowledged to have given birth to the modern ecumenical movement. May we all renew our commitment to work humbly and patiently, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to live again together our common apostolic heritage.’

During the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January 2010, Pope Benedictwelcomed representatives of other confessions to the Vatican and noted the significance of the 1910 conference in the history of common witness, dialogue and cooperation amongChristian churches.

The 1910 conference was a predominantly Protestant affair with no official participation from Catholic bodies. It would be more than half a century, with new initiatives embodied in the Second Vatican Council of the 1960s, before Roman Catholics would join in international church gatherings on an equal footing with Orthodox, Protestant and other traditions of Christianity.

The Catholic delegation to Edinburgh 2010 is led by Bishop Brian Farrell of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

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Edinburgh 2010 is an inter-denominational study project set up to commemorate the centenary of the1910 World Missionary Conference; to provide new perspectives on Christian mission today; and to inspire mission for the 21st century. From 2-6 June 2010, the study project peaks in an international conference and celebration. 300 delegates from over 60 countries and over 50 denominations have been invited to come to Edinburgh to WITNESS TO CHRIST TODAY.