Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - “Jesus Christ continues to draw the peoples of your two island nations to a still deeper faith and life in him. As Bishops you respond to his voice by asking how the Church can become an even more effective instrument of Christ” Pope Benedict XVI said to Bishops of the Conference Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands received in audience in the Vatican on 25 June for their ad limina visit.
The Pope said that from the recent national "General Assembly" in Papua New Guinea and the "Seminar" in Solomon Islands there emerged “clear signs of hope including the keen participation of the young in the mission of the Church, the outstanding generosity of missionaries, and the flowering of local vocations”, as well as present day difficulties. “In the face of the latter, the faithful look to you to be courageous witnesses to Christ, vigilant in seeking new ways to teach the faith so that the power of the Gospel can permeate their way of thinking, standards of judgement, and norms of behaviour” the Pope told the Bishops.
The Holy Father also spoke about relations between Bishops and priests “expressed most effectively through your assiduous care to uphold the unique identity of your priests, to encourage their personal sanctification in the ministry, and to foster a deepening of their pastoral commitment” he said adding that “Priestly identity must never be likened to any secular title or confused with civic or political office… the priest lives a life of simplicity, chastity and humble service, which inspires others by example. At the heart of the priesthood is the daily, devout celebration of Holy Mass. In this Year of the Eucharist I appeal to your priests: be faithful to this commitment which is the centre and mission of the life of each one of you”.
With regard to proper formation ofr priests and religious, “absolutely integral to successful evangelisation”, the Pope urged the Bishops to “ensure careful selection of candidates, to supervise your seminaries personally and to provide regular programmes of ongoing formation so necessary for deepening priestly and religious identity and enriching joyful commitment to celibacy. Finally in this regard, I offer my prayers of deep gratitude for those who serve in seminaries and houses of formation. Please let them know that the Holy Father thanks them for their generosity”.
In the last part of his address Pope Benedict XVI mentioned Catholic catechists and said: “During the Synod for Oceania many of you noted with satisfaction that an increasing number of the lay faithful are coming to a deeper appreciation of their duty to participate in the Church’s mission of evangelisation” encouraging the Bishops to promote appropriate programmes of adult catechesis especially on matrimony and family life.
The Holy Father ended his address encouraging the Bishops and all the faithful: “United in your proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ, go forward in hope! Invoking upon you the intercession of Blessed Peter To Rot, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing to you and the priests, Religious, and lay faithful of your Dioceses.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 27/6/2005; righe 36, parole 515)
