Save the World

Daily Record: POPE: WE MUST UNITE TO SAVE THE WORLD---

POPE Benedict XVI yesterday called on the world to work together to combat threats to peace.

His plea came during a mass in St Peter's Basilica to mark New Year's Day.

It is the Catholic Church's World Day of Peace and the Pope said the biggest threats were from "terrorism, nihilism and fanatic fundamentalism".

He said "individuals, governments and institutions" should unite. The Pope added: "It becomes ever more important to work together for peace when confronting the situations of injustice andviolence that continue to oppress various parts of the world."

Scotland's leading Catholic used his New Year message to criticise law changes that had paved the way for quickie divorces and so-called "gay marriages".

Speaking at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh, Cardinal Keith O'Brien accused politicians of failing to uphold traditional family values.

He said: "Sadly, we live at a time when the truth of marriage and family is obscured and distorted."

The cardinal said it was important to "remind politicians that marriage and its unique status is still important to most of us."

He added: "When our lawmakers condone and endorse trends in society which are ultimately ruinous of family life, we are entitled to question their motivation and condemn their behaviour.

"Only when our Government and our parliament give unequivocal support to marriage and argue for its promotion can we begin to tackle the root of so many social ills."

Gay rights activists described the cardinal's remarks as "abusive".