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| VISITA "AD
LIMINA APOSTOLORUM" DEI PRESULI DELLA CONFERENZA EPISCOPALE
DELL’INDIA, 06.09.2003 |
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Pubblichiamo di seguito il discorso
che il Santo Padre Giovanni Paolo II ha rivolto al gruppo degli
Ecc.mi Presuli della Conferenza Episcopale dell’India delle
Province Ecclesiastiche di Agra, Delhi e Bhopal, incontrati questa
mattina e ricevuti, nei giorni scorsi, in separate udienze, in occasione
della Visita "ad Limina Apostolorum":
DISCORSO DEL SANTO PADRE
Dear Brother Bishops,
1. With joy I welcome the Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Provinces
of Agra, Delhi and Bhopal. I express once more to you and the beloved
people of your country my deep affection: "God is my witness,
whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of his Son, that without
ceasing I mention you always in my prayers" (Rom 1:9). I am
especially pleased to greet Archbishop Concessao, and I thank him
for the sentiments he conveyed on behalf of the Bishops, clergy
and faithful of your Dioceses.
Among the many important events that have occurred in the life of
the Church in India since your last Ad Limina visit is the creation
of the new Diocese of Jhabua. As you gather at the tombs of the
Apostles to express the solidarity between Peter and your local
Churches, the presence of the Pastor of a new flock is an encouraging
sign of the vitality and growth of the Faith in your land.
2. The Apostle Thomas, Saint Francis Xavier and Mother Theresa of
Calcutta are but a few of the outstanding examples of the missionary
zeal which has always been present in India. It is this same spirit
of evangelization which continues to give the faithful of your country
the desire to proclaim Jesus Christ, even when faced with extreme
hardship. As Bishops, you are well aware that together with clergy
and religious, lay people are central to the mission of the Church,
especially in areas where the Christian population is sparse. "Their
activity in ecclesial communities is so necessary that, for the
most part, the apostolate of the pastors cannot be fully effective
without it" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 900). You have
taken the Lord’s words to heart in asking your flock to "go
into the vineyard too" (Mt 20:7). This is clearly demonstrated
in the serious way you prepare the laity to assist their Bishops
and clergy in the spread of the Gospel. At the same time, the willingness
of the faithful to labour alongside their priests is concretely
manifested in their impressive involvement in catechesis, pastoral
councils, small Christian communities, prayer groups and many programmes
of social outreach and human development.
Training people to meet ably the demands of being responsible Catholics
requires that they become ever more conformed to Christ by participation
in the three munera of priest, prophet and king. This is not to
be understood as an expansion of the clerical role but as a reality
shared by every Christian in the grace received at Baptism and Confirmation.
These Christian duties become even more imperative in areas such
as yours which are not fortunate enough to have a resident priest
in every community. Lay faithful who find themselves without an
ordained minister in their village or town see before them an even
greater challenge to promote the Faith in many diverse ways: by
assisting in leading the traditional morning and evening prayers,
as so many of your families do; by serving as catechists or by contributing
to the development of a pastoral plan or vision. All these responsibilities,
small and large alike, are ways of giving oneself as both a witness
and an instrument of the "mission of the Church herself ‘according
to the measure of Christ’s bestowal’" (cf. Eph
4:7 and Lumen Gentium 33§2).
3. From the very earliest days of her presence on Indian soil, the
Catholic Church has demonstrated a deep social resolve in the fields
of healthcare, development, welfare and especially education. The
Second Vatican Council reminds us that Catholic education is a key
factor in preparing young Catholics to become faithful adults. "Such
an education not only develops the maturity of the human person,
but is especially directed toward ensuring that those who have been
baptised, become daily more appreciative of the gift of faith which
they have received" (cf. Gravissimum Educationis, 2). Many
of your schools have large percentages of teachers and students
who are not Catholic. Their presence in our institutions could help
to increase mutual understanding between Catholics and those of
other religions at a time in which misunderstandings can be a source
of suffering to many. It could also be an opportunity for non-Catholic
students to be educated in a system which has proven its ability
to form young people into responsible and productive citizens.
One of the greatest contributions our educational facilities, and
all Catholic institutions, can offer society today is their uncompromising
Catholicity. Catholic schools must aim "to create an atmosphere
enlivened by the Gospel spirit of freedom and charity striving to
relate all human culture eventually to the news of salvation, so
that the light of faith will illumine the knowledge which students
gradually gain of the world, of life and of the human family"
(cf. Gravissimum Educationis, 8). For this reason it is essential
that your educational institutes maintain a strong Catholic identity.
This calls for a curriculum marked by participation in prayer and
the celebration of the Eucharist and requires that all teachers
are well-versed not only in their fields of study but also in the
Catholic faith. It is encouraging to note that so many of your Dioceses
are trying to implement the recommendations of the Post-Synodal
Exhortation Ecclesia in Asia by placing whenever possible trained
priests, religious and counselors in every school. This will help
to ensure that every department and activity joyfully exudes the
spirit of Christ’s Church (cf. Ecclesia in Asia, 47).
4. The presence and influence of the priest in Catholic institutions
is a time-proven way of fostering vocations. There are few things
more attractive to young people who are considering a life of priestly
or religious service than the example of a zealous priest who not
only loves the priesthood but exercises his ministry with joy and
dedication. Through a priest’s spiritual fatherhood the Holy
Spirit invites many to follow ever closer in Christ’s footsteps:
"Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Mt 4:19).
In this regard, I am pleased to note your continued commitment to
promoting more local vocations. Impressive are your many programmes
for young people. Youth service groups and camps which specialize
in catechesis, personality development, leadership training and
vocational discernment are fertile ground for helping young men
and women to determine God’s call in their lives (cf. Pastores
Dabo Vobis, 9).
For those young men who have already made the decision to enter
priestly formation, I offer special prayers. It is essential that
these future ministers of the Church be given proper philosophical,
theological and spiritual formation in order that they may understand
in a realistic way the value of a life of poverty, chastity and
obedience. More so than ever, priests are called to be signs of
contradiction in societies which are daily becoming more secular
and materialistic. "The lure of the so-called ‘consumer
society’ is so strong among young people that they become
totally dominated and imprisoned by an individualistic, materialist
and hedonistic interpretation of human existence" (cf. ibid.,
8). This attitude can at times creep into the lives of our seminarians
and priests, tempting them not to live "according to the logic
of giving and generosity" (cf. ibid.). The Bishop has a special
task to ensure that seminaries and houses of formation are staffed
by priests who are exemplary in virtue and outstanding teachers
of the Faith. As the Synod for Asia made clear "it is a difficult
and delicate task that awaits them in the education of future priests.
This is an apostolate second to none for the Church’s well-being
and vitality" (cf. Ecclesia in Asia, 43).
5. Preparing today’s priests requires that seminarians be
educated in the many different traditions of our Catholic faith.
This is especially true in India which is fortunate to have Oriental
and Latin Catholics in such close proximity. The numbers of Syro-Malabar
and Syro-Malankara Catholics present in your region challenges all
the faithful to respect the needs and desires of those who celebrate
the same Faith in different ways (cf. Address to the Syro-Malabar
Bishops of India, 13 May 2003). "As each has received a gift,
employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied
grace" (1 Pt 4:10). This sharing can be accomplished by inter-ritual
dialogue, education, joint projects and an experience of the different
liturgical traditions of Catholicism. It is my hope that the Latin
and Oriental Bishops will continue to work together in harmony with
a shared spirit of love for Christ and his universal message of
salvation. "As children of the one Church, reborn into the
newness of life in Christ, believers are called to undertake all
things in a spirit of common purpose, trust and unfailing charity"
(Ecclesia in Asia, 27).
This same commonality of purpose is important in the ongoing ecumenical
dialogue with our separated brethren. All Catholics are responsible
for fostering the work of Christian unity. Although the Eastern
Churches are "directly involved in ecumenical dialogue with
their sister Orthodox Churches" (cf. ibid.), Latin Rite Catholics
must also take an active role in this exchange by participation
in ecumenical discussions and activities. At all times, we must
keep in mind that "dialogue is not simply an exchange of ideas.
In some ways it is always an ‘exchange of gifts’"
(Ut Unum Sint, 28).
6. Dear Brother Bishops, as you return to your beloved land it is
my hope that you will convey my warm greetings to the priests, religious
and lay people of your Dioceses. The last year has been one of uncertainty,
conflict and suffering for many in India. Remembering our Lord’s
commission to his disciples, I pray that as you leave this city
of the Apostles Peter and Paul you will be filled with the Holy
Spirit and prepared to act as instruments of reconciliation, stirring
in the hearts of God’s people a firm desire to work for lasting
peace and justice in your country (cf. Jn 20:21-22).
With these sentiments I commend the Church in India to the loving
intercession of our Blessed Lady, Queen of the Rosary, and I cordially
impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of joy and hope in the
Lord. . |
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