VATICAN - Benedict XVI to the Bishops of the Philippines: “ it is by proclamation that the Gospel brings about its life-changing fruits”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Your presence here in Rome strengthens the bonds of communion between the Catholic community in the Philippines and the See of Peter, a communion which stretches back over four centuries to the first offering of the Eucharistic Sacrifice upon your shores,” recalled the Holy Father Benedict XVI, upon receiving in Audience the Bishops of the Philippines on 29 November on the occasion of their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, trusting that the communion “may continue to serve as a leaven in the broader culture, so that current and future generations of Filipinos will continue to encounter the joyful message of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Pope continued: “To be such a leaven, the Church must always seek to find her proper voice, because it is by proclamation that the Gospel brings about its life-changing fruits”. This “voice” is expressed in the moral and spiritual witness of believers' lives, in the public witness offered by Bishops and all those that play a role in teaching the faith to others. “ Thanks to the Gospel’s clear presentation of the truth about God and man”, the Pope said, “generations of zealous Filipino clergymen, religious and laity have promoted an ever more just social order. At times, this task of proclamation touches upon issues relevant to the political sphere. This is not surprising, since the political community and the Church, while rightly distinct, are nevertheless both at the service of the integral development of every human being and of society as a whole.”
Benedict XVI reasserted that “the Church’s prophetic office demands that she be free 'to preach the faith, to teach her social doctrine... and also to pass moral judgments in those matters which regard public order whenever the fundamental human rights of a person or the salvation of souls requires it' (Gaudium et Spes, 76). In the light of this prophetic task, I commend the Church in the Philippines for seeking to play its part in support of human life from conception until natural death, and in defence of the integrity of marriage and the family.” The Pope also expressed satisfaction with the Church's commitment in these areas and also for abolishing the death penalty.
Referring to the importance of social communications and the media, the Pope affirmed: “A unified and positive voice needs to be presented to the public in forms of media both old and new, so that the Gospel message may have an ever more powerful impact on the people of the nation.” He then emphasized the role of the Catholic laity: “proficient in social communications” to “take their proper place in proposing the Christian message in a convincing and attractive way.”
Finally, he recognized the Church's involvement in economic and social issues, especially for the poorest and weakest members of society, which is realized through numerous Catholic charitable institutions actively engaged throughout the country. “Many of your fellow citizens, however, remain without employment, adequate education or basic services, and so your prophetic statements and your charitable action on behalf of the poor continue to be greatly appreciated”, he concluded. “In addition to this effort, you are rightly concerned that there be an on-going commitment to the struggle against corruption, since the growth of a just and sustainable economy will only come about when there is a clear and consistent application of the rule of law throughout the land”. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2010)