The recent promotion of Archbishop Sean Brady to the rank of Cardinal in the Church of Rome is, essentially, a matter for that Church. It has, of course, been enthusiastically welcomed by the ecumenical movement and its allies in political and media circles, and is now being used to give fresh impetus to the long-cherished idea of a papal visit to Northern Ireland. As so-called leaders in church and state fall over themselves to heap honours upon the Church of Rome, we are once again reminded of the frightening depths of spiritual darkness which now surround us. There seems to be little ability or willingness to discern between truth and error and, in such circumstances, it is all too easy for heresy to flourish. There are times when we feel like Elijah who, when overwhelmed by the enemies of truth, feared that he was the only one who had remained faithful to God. We can understand how Elijah felt, but he was not alone, and neither are we. We praise God that there is a remnant of faithful evangelical Protestants who will not bow the knee to Baal, and that remnant might be called upon to take its stand if, as now anticipated, the Pope pays a visit to Northern Ireland. The late Pope John Paul II visited the Irish Republic in 1979 but had been unable, for security reasons, to cross the border. That visit was regarded by Rome as “unfinished business”. Some three years ago, plans for a visit to Northern Ireland had to be abandoned due to the late Pope’s ill-health. Buoyed by the elevation of Dr Brady and the new political climate at Stormont, Rome and her ecumenical friends are confident that their moment has come and they are now determined that the Pope should visit Ulster as soon as possible. After all, they assert, if Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness can work together in Government, there is no reason why the Pope cannot come to Northern Ireland and be welcomed by people of all religions and of none. This is, of course, precisely the sort of spurious argument and warped logic we warned about in a recent edition of the Ulster Bulwark. There is an unbridgeable gap between Biblical Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, and between them there can be no reconciliation. But, in making that statement, are we justified in opposing a Papal visit? Surely, in view of our commitment to civil and religious liberty for all, we should at the very least be neutral about a visit by the head of a particular religion to the members of his flock who live in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, and despite disingenuous efforts to “balance” a papal visit to Ulster with a visit by Her Majesty The Queen to the Irish Republic, it is not as simple as that. The respective roles, functions and claims of the Queen and the Pope are quite different and distinct. The Pope makes very significant spiritual and temporal claims about himself and his church. He regards himself as Father of princes and kings, Ruler of the world, and Vicar (or substitute) of the Lord Jesus Christ. In recent months, the present Pope has reasserted his church’s claim to be the only true church. Faced with such arrogance, it is not possible for Protestants to turn a blind eye to the visit of a man who makes such outrageous and blasphemous assertions. The Pope and his advisers, and all those who are now clamouring for a papal visit, must realise that they will not have it all their own way. As the plans to bring the Pope to Ulster are being developed by Rome and its ecumenical allies, we call upon all true Protestants across the Protestant denominations and organisations, to voice their opposition to such a visit, and we are grateful to those who have already done so. We would also urge First Minister, Dr Ian Paisley, whose courageous stand against Popes and Popery is a matter of record, to use his considerable influence and wise counsel to good effect in this matter. Our opposition to papal falsehood and darkness must, however, be tempered and balanced by a positive proclamation of spiritual truth and light. In challenging the claims of Antichrist, we must take every opportunity to proclaim the claims of Christ, and to exhort our fellow-citizens, irrespective of religion or background, to trust Christ, and Christ alone, for salvation. By so doing, we will fulfil our responsibilities as believers to be both salt and light.