Papal visit is important for all, regardless of religion

That the whole community should participate is proper because this is an official state visit when the Holy Father will be received by Her Majesty the Queen as both the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and also as a visiting Head of State.

What a contrast to the last papal visit of John Paul II. Controversy over the Falkland War hung over the preparations back in 1982 when it was stressed for reasons of protocol and sensitivity that the visit was a pastoral one and not an official state visit.

The then Lothian Education Committee declared its intention that all schools should celebrate the papal visit only to find that the then Secretary of State, George Younger, initiated legal action against the authority in the courts to block our intentions. His intent was to confine the school celebrations to only denominational schools.

In the local elections that year a number of Against The Papal Visit candidates presented themselves for election.

Papal visits are occasions that are important and historic to both Catholic and non-Catholic people. They are also important and historic to both Christian and non-Christian people. They offer all of us the opportunity to consider the role of the Christian Church in our lives and its continuing relevancy in the future.

Let us not allow the controversies of yesterday to surface today.

Let us all enter into the proper spirit and display the growing maturity of the Scottish people and with smiles on our faces extend the warmest possible welcome to Pope Benedict XVI when he comes to visit our land.

Councillor Eric Milligan, Sighthill/Gorgie wards

Building a better future for Scots

As Thursday's Independent Budget Review set out, the Scottish Government has tough decisions to make. Cuts are unavoidable but the most vulnerable in our society must be protected.

With 60,000 public sector jobs set to be slashed, these additional job losses will mean thousands more families struggling to pay their rent or mortgages while local authority funded support services face a bleak future.

Add to this the 156,000 households already stuck on house waiting lists, and it is clear more affordable homes must be one of the key national priorities the review supports as an ongoing area of capital investment.

As well as providing desperately needed homes for families, making house building a national priority will create construction jobs and ultimately help keep our struggling economy afloat.

Gordon MacRae, head of communications and policy, Shelter Scotland, South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh

Disabilities aren't always obvious

Regarding. Ivor Birnie's remarks on July 26 (Change criteria for blue badges, Letters). I have never read such rubbish.

I can walk OK but have serious heart problems. Without my blue badge I would be housebound.

The disability does not need to be visible.

His ignorance beggars belief.

G Robertson, Edinburgh

Chance for UN to regain respect

The UN is clearly the right body to hold a proper investigation into all matters relating to the Lockerbie tragedy.

It would also restore some authority to a body damaged by Washington and London's behaviour over the illegal Iraq war.

A year has been wasted by politicians from the opposition parties attacking Kenny MacAskill and showing no interest whatsoever in supporting a full inquiry into Lockerbie.

A weakened UN is bad for all of us.

Andrew JT Kerr, Castlegate, Jedburgh