Uddingston Deacon to aide the pope during Scotland visit

Sep 9 2010 by Leona Greenan, Hamilton Advertiser

AN UDDINGSTON-based reverend has been honoured with the role of lead deacon at the forthcoming Mass to be celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in Bellahouston Park.

The Rev. Michael Kane, of St John the Baptist Church, became a deacon in April, and will help officiate during the open air service on the evening of Thursday, September 16.

Deacon Kane, who is Scotland’s youngest transitional deacon, will take pride of place standing next to and aiding Pope Benedict XVI on the altar. He will also sing at the end of Mass.

Around 70,000 people are expected to come from near and far to Bellahouston Park to welcome Benedict to Scotland and to join in the celebration of Holy Mass.

Deacon Kane, a former pupil of Holy Cross High School in Hamilton, had the honour of meeting Pope Benedict back in February this year during the Bishops of Scotland’s visit to the Pope’s Palace.

The 24-year-old, who will hold the post of deacon for one year whilst studying for the priesthood, was told of his selection as lead deacon back in June and is extremely humbled by his inclusion in such an occasion.

He told The Advertiser: “I’m very excited and honoured to have been selected as lead deacon during the papal visit.

“There is a lot involved in this visit and we have rehearsals on Wednesday all day to prepare.

“It will be a very momentous event, one I’ll not forget and one I’m very proud to be part of.”

And he knows exactly what he’ll say to Pope Benedict upon meeting him next week.

He continued: “Without doubt I’ll tell him it is a great honour to meet him and of course a magnificent honour for our country to have the Pope visit us.

“For one day only he’ll truly belong to Scotland.”

Deacon Kane will be ordained a priest in Uddingston’s St John the Baptist Church in 2011.

And parish priest of St John the Baptist, Father Dominic Towey, is delighted with the selection of Deacon Kane.

He said: “Michael is incredibly honoured and humbled by the decision, but I know the parish and parishioners are elated by the choice of Michael.

“Everyone in our parish holds him in great affection and respect.”