Cardinal slams 'PC public bodies'

The cardinal said no-one should avoid using the word "Christmas"

Scotland's most senior Roman Catholic has criticised public bodies which have avoided using the word "Christmas" in recent years.

In his Christmas message, Cardinal Keith O'Brien said he had a "sense of hope" that such "politically correct posturing" had now passed.

He said the Christian foundation of Christmas was finally being recognised.

The cardinal also praised a message from a senior Scottish Muslim which wished Christians well for the season.

Cardinal O'Brien, the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, said: "I would hope that councils, parliaments and other public bodies will no longer feel they have to contort their language to avoid mention of the word 'Christmas'.

"I am certain that there never was a real risk of alienating or marginalising those of other faiths, as was often claimed."

He added that the words of the Scottish president of the Muslim Association of Britain "underlined the true meaning of tolerance and respect".

"If members of other faiths can extend their good wishes to their Christian brothers and sisters as many have done recently, hoping that we have a peaceful and holy season, surely we must do the same to one another and to all people of goodwill," he said.