SUMMARY:
- YOUNG
CHURCHES: HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
-
AUDIENCES
______________________________________
YOUNG
CHURCHES: HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
Vatican
City, 7 September 2012 (VIS) - This morning in Castelgandolfo
Benedict XVI received a group of around one hundred
recently-consecrated bishops of circumscriptions in mission
territories. The prelates are currently participating in a congress
organised by the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.
In his
remarks to them the Pope observed that all the communities they serve
as pastors - although in different situations in Africa, Asia,
America or Oceania - are "committed to initial evangelisation
and the consolidation of the faith. ... Your communities are almost
all of recent foundation, and possess the merits and defects
associated with their brief history", he said. "The faith
attracts high levels of participation and joy, it is vivacious and
creative but often not yet well rooted. Enthusiasm and apostolic zeal
alternate with episodes of instability and incoherence. ...
Nonetheless these Churches are maturing, thanks to pastoral activity
but thanks also to that gift of 'communio sanctorum' which opens the
way to an authentic osmosis of grace between ancient and recently
founded Churches, as well as between the Church in heaven and the
pilgrim Church on earth".
The Holy
Father also turned his attention to the falling numbers of
missionaries which, he noted, is compensated by an increase in
diocesan and regular clergy. Thus the growing numbers of local
priests produces "a new form of missionary cooperation as some
young Churches have begun sending their priests to sister Churches
who lack clergy, either within the same country or to other countries
on the same continent. This communion must always animate the work of
evangelisation", he said.
"The
young Churches, then, represent a sign of hope for the future of the
universal Church. It is in this context, dear brethren, that I
encourage you to spare no efforts or courage in your pastoral
activities. ... The Church is born of the mission and grows with the
mission. ... A correct inculturation of the faith will help you to
incarnate the Gospel in the cultures of peoples, and to take from
them what is good. This is a long and difficult process which must
not in any way compromise the specific nature and integrity of the
Christian faith".
The Holy
Father told the new bishops to "observe the world with the eyes
of faith, in order to understand it deeply; and have a generous
heart, ready to enter into communion with the women and men of our
time. Do not fail in your primary responsibility as men of God,
called to prayer and to the service of the Word for the benefit of
the flock. ... The world today needs people who speak to God in order
to be able to speak of God. Only in this way will the Word of
salvation produce fruit".
"Your
Churches well know the context of social instability which so
worryingly affects people's daily lives. Food, health and educational
emergencies raise questions before ecclesial communities and affect
them directly. ... As well as natural calamities, we see cultural and
religious discrimination, ... the fruit of fundamentalisms which are
based on an incorrect view of man and which lead us to undervalue, or
ignore outright, the right to religious freedom and respect for the
weakest, especially children, women and people with disabilities.
Finally, mention must be made of re-emerging contrasts between ethnic
groups and castes, which lead to unjustifiable violence. Have faith
in the Gospel, in its power to renew, in its capacity to reawaken
consciences and to work from within to redeem people and create a new
fraternity. Spreading the Word of the Lord will cause the gift of
reconciliation to flourish and favour the unity of peoples".
In
closing Benedict XVI highlighted the fact that "the faith is a
gift to be welcomed into our hearts and lives, one for which we must
always thank the Lord. But faith is donated in order to be shared; it
is a talent given that it may bear fruit, a light that must not
remain hidden". And he concluded by calling on the bishops "to
be aware of the absolute priority of the task of evangelisation".
AUDIENCES
Vatican
City, 7 September 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in
audience seven prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Colombia on
their "ad limina" visit:
-
Archbishop Ivan Antonio Marin Lopez of Popayan, apostolic
administrator of the apostolic vicariate of Guapi.
- Bishop
Arturo de Jesus Correa Toro of Ipilaes.
- Bishop
Luis Alberto Parra Mora of Mocoa-Sibundoy.
- Bishop
Julio Enrique Prado Bolanos of Pasto.
- Bishop
Gustavo Giron Higuita O.C.D. of Tumaco.
-
Archbishop Orlando Antonio Corrales Garcia of Santa Fe de Antioquia.
- Bishop
Luis Adriano Piedrahita Sandoval of Apartado.
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