By Christine Lavelle
A CHARACTER dressed as John Knox - the famous Scot who led the country into a religious reformation - is to be included in a parade celebrating the first day of the Pope's visit to Scotland.
St Ninian's Day Parade falls on 16 September, which is coincidentally the day that Pope Benedict XVI is due to begin his whistle-stop tour of the central belt.
The parade will begin at Regent Road in Edinburgh, following a route down to Princes Street and featuring 1,000 pipers, as well as characters charting the history of Christianity like Mary Queen of Scots, St Margaret, and Robert the Bruce.
Scotland's most senior Catholic Cardinal Keith O'Brien said the inclusion of the man who established Protestantism is a way to show that religions can walk hand-in-hand with one another.
Speaking at the launch of the parade at Edinburgh Castle, he said: "There have been many problems and disruptions over the years and we are not ignoring that.
"But I think the parade -- and the visit from His Holiness -- is a good way to show that both sides of Christianity can work together.
"John Knox is an influential figure in how the Catholic Church has evolved into what it is today, and I am happy he is being included with all the other historical Scots.
"When Pope John Paul II visited in 1982, this was the message he brought with him, and I hope it is continued."
In 1560, the worship and government of the Roman Catholic Church were overthrown by parliament, and Protestantism was established as the national religion.
Following the ratification of Protestantism, Knox -- often titled "the Great Reformer" - was appointed minister of the Church of St Giles, which was at that time the main church in Edinburgh.
The First Blast of the Trumpet, written anonymously but later revealed as a work by Knox, was one of his first pieces that challenged the Catholic Church -- aimed heavily at Mary Queen of Scots - stating that the Bible said women had no place in ruling the country.
St Ninian was the first man to be named a Saint in Scotland, and his legacy has long been used as an occasion for national celebration and charitable giving.
This year Marie Curie Cancer Care and Mary's Meals will be the two nominated charities to benefit from the day's events -- another way, Cardinal O'Brien says, for people to come together and help others less fortunate.
An emphasis will also be put on children from the 14 St Ninian's schools across the country, the pupils of which have been asked to be VIPs in the parade.
Cardinal O'Brien said the schools are from a mix of Christian beliefs -- Catholic, Episcopalian and non-denominational.
Pupils from St Ninian's primaries in Edinburgh and Stirling attended the launch of the parade, which involved a mini-performance at St Margaret's Cathedral in the castle grounds.
Cardinal O'Brien said: "So many young people take things in their stride easily, and I think the message is clear here that we are all Christians coming together to celebrate the same event, whether they are part of the Catholic Church or the Church of Scotland.
"They are all here wearing the same blue T-shirts and you can't tell them apart, I think they are a wonderful example of people from all walks of life working hand-in-hand."
As Pope Benedict XVI will travels past the parade, pipers drawn from brands across Scotland are set to play 'Highland Cathedral' for him.
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@5355vbxjbj76rvn, King Robert the Bruce and his subjects rejected the Pope's fulmination. Latin Christianity prevailed between the 12th-16th century, it's a myth that most people were devout papists. Popery all had to imported from abroad, priests and all. It was the Saxon Queen Margaret who married the King of Scots and persecuted the Culdee Church. Margaret was a devout papist but we know there were many "heretics" (Bible-believing Christians) in Scotland during the pre-Reformation period.
Islandretreat 5 months ago
@Steely1888, William the Conqueror was sent by the Latin Church to invade Saxon England and from there to destroy the Celtic Church and to advance the Temporal Power of the Papacy. Wiliam the Conqueror's brother Odo, a Roman Military Bishop, first led a Norman army into Scotland in 1072. In 1329, Roman Antichrist Pope John XXII granted a papal bull to "exterminate all heretics." Roman Canon Law, THE PAPAL SUPPRESSION OF BOOKS, is the reason for your one-sided, distorted view of history.
Islandretreat 5 months ago
@Islandretreat - What an idiot you really are. Robert the Bruce was excommunicated for killing a man in a church. Stupid calvanist
Steely1888 5 months ago
John Knox ? He was once a priest, then an enemy of the Catholic faith: this is deeply insulting to the Pope, & if he wasn't offended he should have been; so should Cardinal O'Brien.
This is the kind of intelligence-free ecumenism that empties churches & serves to suggest that the post-V2 CC is spiritually bankrupt. Robert the Bruce = Catholic; St. Ninian = Catholic; John Knox = enemy of Catholicism, & a destroyer of Scottish Catholicism.
5355vbxjbj76rvn 6 months ago
What o boring promo that was! Woop de doo! I've gotta get myself down there!
rabbie1121 1 year ago
Your initial comment to the original poster on this clip could hardly be viewed as "fun and enjoyment". My advice to you would be to learn the difference between true Chrsitianity (Bible-based Chrsitianity) and Popery (Babylonian Romanism). The BBC is controlled by Papal Knights (Rupert Murdoch et al) subordinate to Holman SJ the Jesuit Provincial for Britain. I think our discussion (for want of a better word) here has drawn to an end.
Islandretreat 1 year ago
@frhugh, To the informed amongst us, it's self-evident what the Roman church considers fun and enjoyment. Besides insulting the people of Protestant Scotland by getting an actor to dress up as Knox, we know about the 600 year long diabolical Inquisition. We know that Mary "Queen of Scots" brought the Witch Act (burning alleged Witches) from France. Christian martyrs like Patrick Hamilton and George Wishart will remain engraved in our memory. I have no interest in going to the BBC blog.
Islandretreat 1 year ago
Yet again Island retreat, you are factually incorrect. A priest does not forgive the sins -God does. I assure you I have no intention of insulting you personally. I am disagreeing with your bizarre views, many of which are factually inaccurate.
Challange to you - don't carry forward this discussion on the You Tube forum. Going the BBC's 'Will and Testament' blog and see the response you get there.
You Tube is about fun and enjoyment - can we at least agree about that?
frhugh 1 year ago
King Robert the Bruce and all of his subjects were ex-communicated by Rome for resisting the English--who were sent here (and to Ireland) to destroy the Culdee Churches. The ex-communication was held as an empty threat because of the Culdee influence at that time. I dare say O'Brien never mentioned that to any of the idolaters at this shameful parade.
Islandretreat 1 year ago
“In Roman Catholic circles it is well known that the Black Pope is the term used for the General of the Jesuits. As the Pope is always robed in white and the General in black, the contrast is obvious. . . . the Black Pope rules
the White Pope . . . even while the former is
obligated to make, at least, a show of submission to the latter.”
M. F. Cusack, 1896 AD
Ex-Nun of Kenmare, Ireland
Bible-believing Protestant
The Black Pope
Islandretreat 1 year ago