Two-tier system for Mass on Pope's visit, but Scots won't have to pay

Published on Wednesday 14 July 2010 23:51

CATHOLICS planning to attend open-air Mass arranged for the Pope's visit to the UK will face a two-tier system, depending on which side of the Border they are.

Worshippers in Scotland will not have to pay to attend the Papal Mass to be held in Glasgow during the Pontiff's visit, it was announced last night, while those attending the events in England and Wales will be charged up to 25.

The reassurance for Scottish followers came last night with thousands expected to attend the open-air mass at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow on 16 September.

Last night, a spokesman for the Catholic Media Office confirmed that Scots would not face an individual levy to see Pope Benedict XVI.

"Scottish pilgrims travelling to the Papal Mass at Bellahouston Park will not be expected to pay a charge to attend. Instead, parishes will be asked to contribute to the overall cost of the event, including transport costs," the spokesman said.

The spokesman acknowledged costs would have to be covered, but said this would not be done with a "ticket" charge.

He added: "We hope that spreading the costs in this way will ensure that all those who wish to attend can do so regardless of their means.

|At the same time, parishioners who are able to make individual financial contributions can, of course, do so."

The news that Catholics in England and Wales were to be charged 25 to attend the highlight of the Pope's visit - the Mass on the final day for the beatification of Cardinal John Hendry Newman in Crofton Park, Birmingham - has led to concerns that it will penalise the less well-off.

It is believed the 1,000 priests celebrating in Birmingham will also have to pay, although the 2,000 VIPs attending the events will not.

There is also to be a 10 charge for the prayer vigil in Hyde Park, in London.

Many parishioners have already contributed to the visit's costs through a fundraising national collection organised by the Catholic Church to raise funds for the Pope's visit.

A spokesman for the Catholic Church in England, commenting on the reason for charging for the Papal masses, said: "The idea is that the people who are going are not visitors but pilgrims and they are representing the faithful.

"So they will have a pilgrim pass, and this will include a journey CD, all the health and safety stuff, a travelcard, the Magnificat (prayer book) and the commemorative branded pack. The whole idea is that they contribute to the cost of travel."

The spokesman confirmed that priests would have to pay to attend the beatification Mass.

"If a priest is going to go along to the beatification and will be concelebrating, he will be leading the pilgrimage, leading his parish as a group."

Costs for the Pope's four-day visit to Britain from 16-19 September have risen to about 20 million, forcing the Church to scale back some activities.

The government is paying for policing, while other costs, such as accommodation and travel, will be shared between the government and the Catholic Church.

The Church has collected about 6m of a targeted 7m towards the visit, with money being raised through fundraising in parishes and individual donations.

The Pope will fly to Scotland on 16 September where he will be received by the Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

He will later travel to Glasgow for the mass at Bellahouston Park..