Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the papal nuncio to Great Britain, will be transferred to Rome to serve in the Secretariat of State, the department responsible for relations with other states, it was announced last week.
Archbishop Mennini, who has been nuncio to Britain for just over six years, will “serve the Holy Father with particular reference to the state of Italy,” Cardinal Vincent Nichols said in a statement. “In these matters Archbishop Mennini has unique experience and knowledge which is much appreciated by the Holy See.”
During his time in London, the 69-year-old Italian has advised on the appointment of 20 diocesan bishops. In Scotland, all eight diocesan bishops were chosen under his watch.
He was previously nuncio to Russia, where he played a key role in the establishment of full diplomatic relations.
His appointment to Britain was seen by some as an attempt to steady relations with the Church of England following the creation of the ordinariate.
Cardinal Nichols, writing on behalf of the English and Welsh bishops, said Archbishop Mennini had been “most attentive and sensitive to our needs and situation, while always representing the Holy Father with precision and clarity and sharing insights into the needs of the Universal Church”.
“His presence amongst us bishops has always been that of a brother and we have never failed to appreciate his kindness and hospitality … We assure him of our prayers for [his new] mission.”
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow thanked him for his “attentive concern” and “wise counsel”.
Police charge child after eggs are thrown at Mass-goers
A 12-year-old boy has been charged with threatening and abusive behaviour in connection with an anti-Catholic attack in Rosyth, near Edinburgh.
About 10 children, aged around 12, threw eggs and shouted anti-Catholic abuse at Fr Kevin Dow and parishioners as they came out of John and St Columba’s Church last week.
Fr Dow said: “It’s dreadfully sad that in today’s Scotland we still have young people who seem to be brought up or encouraged from elsewhere to be anti-Catholic, and to do so in an open, intimidating and violent way.” A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police in Fife received a report of a disturbance outside St John’s Church in Rosyth. Officers are following a positive line of inquiry.”
It is the latest in a long series of verbal or physical attacks on Catholics in Scotland.
Fr Dow himself converted from Presbyterianism in 1993. He has said his family found his ordination in 2003 difficult to take.
But he told The Scotsman at the time: “Even if my dear gran was shaking her head, she was still happy.”
Bishops criticise Israeli settlements
Christians have a responsibility to oppose the construction of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories, bishops from Britain, North America and Europe have said.
“This de facto annexation of land not only undermines the rights of Palestinians … but also imperils the chance of peace,” the Holy Land Coordination group said. The British bishops involved were Bishop Lang, Bishop Kenney and Bishop Nolan.
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