PROMOTE LAY SPIRITUALITY IN LITHUANIA

VATICAN CITY, SEP 17, 1999 (VIS) - At Castelgandolfo this morning, the Pope received prelates from the Lithuanian Episcopal Conference who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

The Holy Father recalled his 1993 pastoral visit to Lithuania, where "I had the opportunity to observe with how much vitality the faith of Lithuanians had survived the period of trial. Of course, as always occurs in times of persecution, there was some yielding. Even today, in your reports, you make clear that years of atheistic propaganda have had devastating effects which are not easy to rectify. Yet at the same time, the faith of many, having passed through the fire, has come out stronger."

After referring to the dangers that "a secularist and hedonistic model of life" entails for the faith, he affirmed that "some of the ethical problems that, unfortunately, are spread throughout the world - from the crisis in the family to scant consideration for the value of life - also have a notable presence in Lithuania." He recalled that what he said in 1993 remains valid: "New evangelisation is the first and most pressing need of pastoral care in Lithuania."

John Paul II underlined the importance that catechesis "help people to 'meet' Jesus Christ. ... What is necessary is a proposal of faith adapted to those who have fallen away," as well as, for those who already believe, one that "guides along the Christian road until full maturity."

Furthermore, the Pope continued, "the formation of lay people is imperative, as is the promotion of lay spirituality. ... It is up to well-trained lay people in particular to be leavening in society, in order to protect those human and Christian values upon which the future of man depends." He made particular reference to respect for human life and the family.

"One significant lay commitment, of particular urgency in the young Lithuanian democracy, regards politics. This requires Christians to be fully coherent with evangelical values as laid down in the Church's social doctrine."

The Holy Father concluded by stressing that "the formation of a mature laity is the true 'secret' for the Church to have a significant presence in Lithuanian society. ... The laity cannot be passive in the Church! ... On this road to maturity they may find support in those forms of association, traditional or modern, which under the guidance of their pastors, offer them secure opportunities for formation and orient them towards valid forms of witness."

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