PRESERVE THE UNERRING TRANSMISSION OF THE DEPOSIT OF FAITH

VATICAN CITY, JUN 11, 1999 (VIS) - After visiting the church of the Basilian Fathers, the Pope travelled to the residence in Warsaw of the cardinal primate of Poland, where he had lunch with the members of the episcopal conference and the cardinals and bishops who are accompanying him on this apostolic trip.

The Holy Father delivered a speech to the Polish prelates in which he thanked God "for the twenty years of my service to the holy Church in the See of Peter, and also because in that time I have been able to serve the Church in my homeland in a special way. ... This present visit is in a sense the crowning of all my previous pilgrimages to Poland."

He indicated that the greatest pastoral duty for bishops is "to preserve the unerring transmission of the deposit of faith." In this sense, the Catechism of the Catholic Church "is an eloquent sign of the unity of the Church's teaching. ... A systematic and comprehensive catechesis, including the catechesis of adults, is essential for the deepening and strengthening of faith in people's hearts."

"Concerning entry into the European Union," the Pope continued, "a very important question is the creative contribution of believers to modern culture." He added: "Poland enters the twenty-first century as a free and sovereign country. This freedom, if it is not to be abused, requires people aware not only of their rights but also of their duties. ... Freedom demands constant reference to the truth of the Gospel and to stable and well-established moral norms which enable people to distinguish between good and evil."

The Pope then requested bishops to look after priests and seminarians, underlining that "a pastoral strategy for vocations needs to be developed, and above all there is a need to pray a great deal and encourage others to pray, so that there will be no lack of men and women ready to follow the voice of Christ."

With reference to young people, the Pope thanked all those "who devote their time and talents to passing on to the younger generation the great heritage of Polish culture, tradition and religiosity, who are involved in preparing young people for the beauty of love in marriage and in responsible parenthood. If young people are to fulfil the hope placed in them, they must be taught to draw strength from direct contact with God in the liturgy and the holy sacraments, in Sacred Scripture, from the life and apostolic work of the Church."

"The stability and unity of the family are today seriously threatened. You must oppose this danger, working with all people of good will to form a climate favorable to the strengthening of the family. ... You are well aware of my concern and my efforts to defend life and the family. Wherever I am, I do not cease to proclaim in Christ's name the fundamental right of every human being, the right to life. Continue to do all in your power to safeguard the dignity and the moral health of the family, so that it may be strong in God. May families know that the Church is close to them, respects them and supports them in their efforts to maintain their identity, stability and holiness. This I ask of you as Pastors in a special way."

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