VATICAN - “The hoped-for renewal of the parish cannot arise only from pastoral initiatives, useful though they are, or from programmes worked out at a theoretical level. … the parish 'rediscovers' itself in the encounter with Christ. ... especially in the Eucharistic” Pope Benedict XVI tells plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity

Friday, 22 September 2006

Castel Gandolfo (Agenzia Fides) - This morning in the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo, the Pope received participants in the 22nd plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, which is presided by Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko. The theme of the gathering is: "The Parish Rediscovered. Paths for Renewal.” In his address the Holy Father said the parish can live relive the experience of the first Christian communities narrated in the Acts of the Apostles, it can “grow in harmony and brotherly unity if it prays incessantly and listens to the Word of God and above all if it participates with faith in the celebration of the Eucharist presided by the priest”.
The Holy Father continued: “The hoped-for renewal of the parish cannot, then, arise only from pastoral initiatives, useful though they are, or from programmes worked out at a theoretical level. "Drawing inspiration from the apostolic model," the Pope added, "the parish 'rediscovers' itself in the encounter with Christ. ... Nourished by the Eucharistic bread, it grows in Catholic communion and walks in complete faithfulness to the Magisterium and is always ready to welcome and discern the different charisma which the Lord sows in the People of God. Constant union with Christ gives it the strength to commit itself to serving others, especially the poorest for whom is in fact the primary point of reference.”.
At the beginning of his address Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the “growing importance assumed by the Pontifical Council for the Laity in the Church” and he mentioned two of the most recent events “of unquestionable ecclesial importance organised by the Council: World Youth Day held in Cologne in August last year and the Pope’s Meeting with over one hundred new Church Movements and Communities in St Peter’s Square on the Eve of Pentecost Sunday this year.
During its last plenary assembly the Pontifical Council for the Laity reflected on the theological and pastoral nature of the parish community. This year it tackled the question from the operative point of view in order to foster authentic renewal of the parish. “In fact - the Pope said -, the pastoral theological aspect and the operative aspect cannot be separated if we wish to understand the mystery of communion to which the parish is called to be a sign and channel”. The Holy Father concluded by saying he hoped the work of the assembly would “help to render the laity ever more aware of their mission in the Church, particularly within the parish community which should be a ‘family of Christian families”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/9/2006 - Righe 30, parole 408)


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