STUDYING IN ROME IS A PRIVILEGE AND A RESPONSIBILITY

VATICAN CITY, OCT 21, 2000 (VIS) - Yesterday evening in the Vatican Basilica, Archbishop Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, presided at a Eucharistic celebration marking the start of the academic year in the ecclesiastical universities. The Pope pronounced the homily and imparted the final blessing.

The Holy Father told the professors and students present that: "each of you should be aware of the gift of having the chance to complete your studies in Rome and, at the same time, you must realize the responsibilities associated with that privilege. You, indeed, are called to deepen your formation with a view to giving competent ecclesial service."

After expressing his appreciation and gratitude for the work of the superiors, professors and directors of ecclesiastical institutions in Rome, John Paul II said: "Your initiative, together with the high-level research and steadfast faithfulness to the Magisterium, show your love for Christ and for the Church and, I would say, the true missionary spirit with which you serve the Truth.

"On the eve of World Mission Day, I would like to emphasize that the work of those who teach and study in the ecclesiastical faculties is not separated from nor, still less, in contrast to the work of those who, so to say, operate 'on the front line.' We are all at the service of the Truth that is the Gospel of the Lord Christ. By its nature, the Gospel needs to be announced, yet such announcement presupposes a solid and deep awareness of the message in order for evangelization to be an effective service to God, to the Truth and to man."

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