Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 631

traditions and distinct culture of the Scots and strive to serve their best

interests in a spirit of solidarity and concern for the common good.

The name of Holyroodhouse, Your Majesty's official residence in Scot-

land, recalls the "Holy Cross" and points to the deep Christian roots that are

still present in every layer of British life. The monarchs of England and

Scotland have been Christians from very early times and include outstanding

saints like Edward the Confessor and Margaret of Scotland. As you know,

many of them consciously exercised their sovereign duty in the light of the

Gospel, and in this way shaped the nation for good at the deepest level. As a

result, the Christian message has been an integral part of the language,

thought and culture of the peoples of these islands for more than a thousand

years. Your forefathers' respect for truth and justice, for mercy and charity

come to you from a faith that remains a mighty force for good in your

kingdom, to the great benefit of Christians and non-Christians alike.

We find many examples of this force for good throughout Britain's long

history. Even in comparatively recent times, due to figures like William

Wilberforce and David Livingstone, Britain intervened directly to stop the

international slave trade. Inspired by faith, women like Florence Nightingale

served the poor and the sick and set new standards in healthcare that were

subsequently copied everywhere. John Henry Newman, whose beatification I

will celebrate shortly, was one of many British Christians of his age whose

goodness, eloquence and action were a credit to their countrymen and wo-

men. These, and many people like them, were inspired by a deep faith born

and nurtured in these islands.

Even in our own lifetime, we can recall how Britain and her leaders stood

against a Nazi tyranny that wished to eradicate God from society and denied

our common humanity to many, especially the Jews, who were thought unfit

to live. I also recall the regime's attitude to Christian pastors and religious

who spoke the truth in love, opposed the Nazis and paid for that opposition

with their lives. As we reflect on the sobering lessons of the atheist extremism

of the twentieth century, let us never forget how the exclusion of God,

religion and virtue from public life leads ultimately to a truncated vision

of man and of society and thus to a "reductive vision of the person and

his destiny".1

1 Caritas in Veritate, 29.