VATICAN - Benedict XVI underscores the necessity for the “entire Catholic community to proclaim, teach and witness the entire truth of Catholic faith, doctrine and morals in a unanimous and harmonious manner”. The Pope also said he hoped the imminent G-8 meeting would adopt concrete measures to eradicate poverty and promote authentic development for Africa

Vatican City (Fides Service) - “Dear brothers and sisters how necessary it is today at the dawn of the thrid millennium for the entire Catholic community to proclaim, teach and witness to the entire truth of Catholic faith, doctrine and morals in a unanimous and harmonious manner! A contribution towards new efforts for catechesis and evangelisation can come from the new Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, to help all Catholics, children, young people and adults, families and communities, in docility to the Holy Spirit, to become everywhere catechists and evangelisers helping other to encounter Christ”. This was part of the Sunday address given by Pope Benedict XVI on 3 July before leading the recitation of the midday Angelus Prayer with thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square to receive his blessing.
The Pope mentioned the recent presentation of the “Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church”: “For several years the need was felt to have a shorter catechism which would summarise in a simple but comprehensive manner all the essential elements of Catholic doctrine. Divine Providence wished for this project to be achieved on the day of the opening the cause for the beatification of our beloved Pope John Paul II, who gave it determinant impulse … In the Compendium, an ideal dialogue between the Master and the disciple, offers a summary of the broader exposition of the Church’s faith and Catholic doctrine contained in the Catechism promulgated by my venerable Predecessor in 1992”.
After the Marian prayer, the Pope mentioned the July 6 meeting of heads of state and government of the world’s most industrialised countries in Gleneagles (Scotland) for which one of the priorities will be Africa “a continent often neglected”. The Holy Father said he hoped the meeting would be a success and lead to “sharing in solidarity the costs of debt reduction, putting in motion concrete measures to eradicate poverty and promoting authentic for Africa”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 4/7/2005; righe 23, parole 318)