A SPECIAL bus is touring Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire this week in a bid to “bring faith issues to the high street.”

The Mercy Bus – dubbed “the church on wheels” – set off on its local tour on Monday, with priests hearing confessions on the top deck.

It is the brainchild of the Friends of Divine Mercy Scotland group, which says everyone is welcome to hop on board.

Spokeswoman Helen Border added: “Inspired by the call from Pope Francis to ‘Go out to the people and take the Church to them,’ we’ve decided to do just that.

“There are priests hearing confessions on the top deck of the Mercy Bus and there is literature, tea and coffee available downstairs.

“Everyone is welcome. We hope passers-by will come on board, where they can say a prayer or just chat.

“Today, so many people are angry and upset, often because they’ve made the wrong choices and want to change. Stepping on board the bus could be the first step in changing their lives for the better.”

The bus set off from Paisley on Monday and will be based in Barrhead tomorrow, from 11am until 3pm, when it will be parked outside the Asda store in the town’s Main Street.

It will return to Paisley on Saturday, where Bishop John Keenan will celebrate Mass on board at 2pm.

Bishop Keenan, who represents the Diocese of Paisley, said: “This is a fantastic initiative and a wonderful example of evangelisation which takes the church out into the world.

“I wish the venture every success and hope it will be the first of many similar initiatives which offer people a route back to a relationship with God.”

Father Paul Brady, of St John’s Church, in Barrhead, added: “In some instances, confessions are at times when people cannot go. Also, if people haven’t been in a while, then it can be quite daunting.

“The Mercy Bus offers another, more accessible, more approachable option.

“It is a new way of bringing the sacrament of confession to more people.”