Roman Catholic churchgoers are being urged to help meet a shortfall of more than three million pounds in funding for Pope Benedict's visit to the UK. The Church has asked them to put at least one million pounds in Sunday's collection - largely to pay for three big open air masses at which the Pope will preside.
It is hoped the Pope will stay awake for at least part of the services
As this is a state visit by Pope Benedict XVI, the bulk of the cost is being borne by the UK government. The Papal visit will cost fifteen million punds, not including extra policing and security. The Church's share of the cost is seven million, and with slightly less than half of it raised, congregations are being asked to contribute via the collection plate.
Most of the money will be spent on three open-air masses which the Church says could attract up to 400,000 people in total. One of the masses will form the high point of the Pope's visit, the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman at Coventry Airport on 19 September. Secularist groups have criticised the use of taxpayers' money to fund the visit of a religious leader [they have a point].
