VATICAN CITY, FEB 18, 1999 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II held his traditional meeting with Roman clergy at the beginning of Lent. The Pontiff spoke on the final stage of the Citizens' Mission which is directed towards the world of work and society.
"The decision not to limit the mission to families who live in parishes," and to reach those places in which people work and study, "has been without doubt a courageous and committed decision. We took it because we are convinced of its importance and, even more, of its necessity if we truly wish that the Gospel of Christ be proclaimed and witnessed to in all circumstances and situations of life."
The Citizens' Mission "in practice, is entrusted above all to the laity," said the Pope. However. "it is not first and foremost the work of each individual believer, but is rather of all the community, and moreover of those who are responsible for that same community. ... You are and must always be missionaries and evangelizers everywhere."
The Pope told priests that each one has the duty "to prepare and support the laity, called to give witness to Christ in all situations of life." He added that "the fundamental elements of formation and spiritual growth" are prayer, catechesis "penance, conversion of heart and the progressive opening up to the love of God and the brothers and sisters."
"The workplace in some cases is where secularization seems to be more advanced, and speaking of God and Jesus Christ can be difficult and almost out of place. However in reality God is never extraneous, Christ is never extraneous."
Referring finally to the increase in unemployment and poverty in the city, he highlighted the necessity to find new means so that Rome "might promote her social and economic development for the good of the Italian nation and of the world."
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