Pope near tears at historic service

Press, 31 May 1982, Page 8

Pope near tears at historic service

NZPA-Reuter London

Pope John Paul will travel today to Liverpool, the strongest centre of Catholicism in England, after an emotional meeting with the spiritual head of the Anglican Church in Canterbury yesterday. Before leaving for Liverpool, the Pope is due to speak in London to 25,000 Polish compatriots who belong to one of the world’s most influential Polish emigre communities. He is expected to address them about their relationship with their homeland, which has been under military rule since December’s crackdown on the free trade union movement there.

Pomp and emotion marked the Pope’s visit to Canterbury, the second day of his historic six-day visit to Britain.

The Pope, leader of 700 million Catholics, and Dr Robert Runcie, spiritual head of 67 million Anglicans as Archbishop of Canterbury, clasped hands and embraced several times during an ecumenical service in the city’s ancient cathedral. The Pope

at times appeared near tears.

England broke officially with the Roman Catholic Church nearly 450 years ago. The two Church leaders announced plans yesterday for a new international commission to examine outstanding doctrinal differences.

The solemnity of the service in Canterbury Cathedral, attended by 2500 dignitaries including ' Prince Charles, was broken by spontaneous applause for the Pope and Archbishop. The two men exchanged kisses of peace and prayed together as they pledged to work for reconciliation and ecclesiastical unity. The Pope also invited other British Church leaders who attended the service to go to Rome for further talks on unity.

The Pope then flew back to London to celebrate an open-air mass for a crowd estimated at around 100,000 at Wembley stadium.

The stadium had echoed to the cheers of soccer fans at the English FA Cup final replay on Thursday. Workers labouring round the clock

had converted the huge arena for the papal Mass, and the stands reverberated to the applause of the Catholic crowd as the Pope entered.

He spoke of the need for the regular practice of religion and stressed the importance of moral values, saying respect for human life, marriage, and family life were neglected. Before the start of holy communion, the Pope added a ’“‘brief extemporaneous prayer for all those who have died on both sides in the Falklands conflict.

Earlier at Canterbury, Archbishop Runcie spoke of the tragic loss of life and energy being wasted in the conflict.

Meanwhile, seven supporters of the extremist Northern Ireland Protestant leader, lan Paisley, were remanded in custody at Horseferry Road Magistrate’s Court in London, charged with a breach of the peace during an anti-papal-visit protest.

The men were told they would be kept in custody until the Pope’s visit was completed.