VATICAN - Pope addresses Brazilian Bishops: “The Episcopal Conference works as a single body propelling the pastoral solicitude of bishops, whose principal concern must be the salvations of souls, which is also the fundamental mission of the Church.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “With the visit of the West Central Region, a series of meetings with Brazilian bishops which began more than a year ago comes to a close. In a delightful coincidence, the day I addressed the first group of prelates from Brazil coincided with your country's Independence Day and the meeting today, the last, coincides with Republic Day in Brazil.” These were the words of the Holy Father Benedict XVI in addressing the Bishops of Brazil's West Central Region on November 15, on the occasion of their Ad Limina visit. In this context he highlighted once again "the importance of the Church's evangelizing work in the construction of Brazilian identity. As you know, today's secularized society demands from Christians a renewed witness so that the Gospel may be accepted for what it is: the good news of God's saving action that comes to man's encounter."
In his speech, the Pope focused in particular on the meaning and functions of the Episcopal Conference: “an instrument of effective and affective communion between all its members and of efficient collaboration with the pastor of each particular Church, in his triple function to teach, sanctify and govern the sheep of his flock. Thus, the Episcopal Conference is one of the forms of organisation which, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, enable the joint and harmonious exercise of certain pastoral functions, for the good of the faithful and of all the citizens of a particular territory.”
Benedict XVI then highlighted that “closer co-operation with their brothers in the ministry helps bishops to accomplish their mandate more effectively, without abdicating their primary responsibility to feed – as the fitting, ordinary, immediate pastors of the flock of their particular Church.” He then spoke of the danger of the Episcopal Conference becoming “a parallel reality or substituting the ministry of each individual bishop; in other words, it must not change his relationship with his particular Church and with the college of bishops, nor become the intermediary between the bishop and the See of Peter.”
The Holy Father reminded the bishops that in their assemblies, they should “ study above all the most effective and appropriate means to present the universal Magisterium to the people entrusted to your care.” The Pope also mentioned, among the themes that today require a joint action of the bishops, “the promotion and protection of faith and morals, the translation of liturgical books, the promotion and formation of vocations of special consecration, assistance in catechesis, ecumenical commitment, relations with civil authorities, the defense of human life from conception to natural end, the sanctity of the family and of marriage between a man and a woman, the right of parents to educate their children, religious freedom, human rights, peace and social justice.”
Lastly, the Pope mentioned that “the counselors and structures of the episcopal conference exist to serve the bishops, not to replace them. In the final analysis, it is important to ensure that the episcopal conference, in all its offices, works as a single body propelling the pastoral solicitude of bishops, whose principal concern must be the salvations of souls, which is also the fundamental mission of the Church.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 16/11/2010)