Douglas Alexander MP

Labour MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South

Paisley MP to meet Pope in Rome

22 January 2010

Vatican discussion to focus on Haiti earthquake and global poverty

Douglas Alexander, local MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South will travel to Rome next Tuesday, 26 January for a meeting with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. At the Vatican he will discuss the global response to the Haiti earthquake and world poverty amongst other issues.

Alexander is honoured to have been invited, and intends to highlight during his visit the Roman Catholic Church’s unique role on the world stage – particularly at the grassroots level delivering health and education services, and their significant influence on important issues such as climate change and conflict resolution – as well as the work by Catholics across the Scotland and the UK in support of tackling global poverty.

In his role as Secretary of State for International Development, he will also be giving a keynote speech on world hunger at the UN World Food Programme.

Speaking ahead of his meeting with the Pope, Dougas Alexander said:

“I am immensely honoured to have been invited to meet with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and, and intend to thank him personally for his urgent appeal on Haiti.

“I also hope to discuss with him the continued importance of tackling global poverty, and the role faith groups can play, not only in delivering health & education but also in their ability to create consensus and mobilise opinion in the developed world.            

“I also plan on thanking the Holy Father for his regular speaking out on moral importance of countries living up to their overseas aid promises.

“I spoke to Cardinal Keith O’Brien earlier this week who was delighted that I will have the opportunity to discuss these important issues in Rome.

“I have also been in touch with the local Catholic churches to offer the opportunity for them for me to convey any messages to His Holiness, and would urge anyone who would like me to convey a message, to contact my office in Paisley.”