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Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The challenges you have to face in your pastoral work are increasingly numerous and difficult, and have recently been further augmented by a serious worldwide economic crisis. Nonetheless, the present moment also offers many authentic reasons for hope...just as He did with the disciples of Emmaus, the risen Lord also walks at our side infusing us with His Spirit of love and strength, that we may open our hearts to a future of hope and eternal life.” These were the words of the Holy Father Benedict XVI in addressing the Bishops of the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference, whom he received in an audience for their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, June 8.
“You have before you, dear Brothers, an exhilarating task of evangelization and you have begun the 'Mission for Venezuela,' in keeping with the Continental Mission promoted by the Fifth General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean, held in the Brazilian city of Aparecida,” the Pope said, recalling that “these are also times of grace for those who dedicate themselves entirely to the cause of the Gospel.” The Pontiff then exhorted the Bishops to trust in the Lord, and “to increase initiatives that aim to make the figure and message of Jesus Christ known in all their fullness and beauty. To this end, apart from sound doctrinal formation of the People of God, it is important to encourage lives of profound faith and prayer.” Benedict XVI also highlighted “the need for the Bishops' spiritual life,” in that “the pastoral ministry should be a coherent reflection of Jesus, Servant of God, showing all the fundamnetal importance of faith, as well as the need to give priority of place to the vocation of sanctity.”
Continuing with his address, the Pope mentioned that “in order to carry out fruitful pastoral activity it is indispensable that there be close affective and effective communion among the pastors of the People of God...which today as always must be visibly promoted and expressed. Fruit of this communion, as well, is the special attention towards priests, who should be treated with closeness and fraternal friendship.” Benedict XVI then encouraged the Bishops of Venezuela to “redouble efforts to encourage pastoral zeal among priests, and especially during this forthcoming Year for Priests...in addition to the interest that should be taken in the Diocesan Seminary, to encourage an attentive and competent selection and formation of those who are called to be pastors of the People of God, without sparing human or material resources.”
In concluding his address, the Holy Father exhorted the Bishops to care for the laity, who, “as disciples and missionaries of Christ, as called to illumine and organize temporal realities so as to respond to the loving plan of God. Thus, there is a need for a mature laity that bears staunch witness to its faith and feels the joy of belonging to the Body of Christ, to which they must offer, among other things, adequate knowledge of the Social Doctrine of the Church.” Lastly, he encouraged them “continue to support the many charitable initiatives of the Church in Venezuela,” for those most in need and he assured them of “my support, along with my solicitude and spiritual closeness.” Before imparting his apostolic blessing, Benedict XVI invoked the protection of Our Lady of Coromoto, who is so beloved to the people of Venezuela. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 9/6/2009)
