Friday, February 24, 2012

Pope names first Scot to St Peter’s role

AN ADVISER from Glasgow based at the Vatican has become the first Scot to become a Canon of St Peter’s Basilica.

Monsignor Charles Burns OBE, former head of the Vatican Secret Archives and now an ecclesiastical adviser to the British Embassy in the Holy See, was given the honour by Pope Benedict XVI.

He will join a select group of senior clerics officiating at the religious ceremonies of the Papal Basilica.

Monsignor Burns, 78, was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Paisley. He was also Professor of the History of Papal Diplomacy at the Pontifical Eccles-iastical Academy, the Holy See’s diplomatic academy, for nearly 25 years.

He was born in Glasgow and grew up in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire.

On his appointment, Monsignor Burns said: “I am deeply grateful to the Holy Father for this exceptional gesture of benevolence.

“I will participate with great pleasure in the liturgy at St Peter’s”.

Nigel Baker, the British Ambassador to the Holy See, said: “I am delighted to learn of this signal honour paid to Monsignor Burns.

“Monsignor Burns has long served the Holy See in many different capacities. This appointment is recognition of a lifetime of exceptional service.”