THE GOSPEL MUST BE ANNOUNCED IN ALL ENVIRONMENTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 10, 2000 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m. today, the second Sunday of Advent, John Paul II presided at a Eucharistic celebration for the Jubilee of Catechists and Teachers of Religion.

Commenting on the Gospel reading in his homily, the Pope affirmed that, like St. John the Baptist, "catechists are called to teach that Jesus is the awaited Messiah, the Christ. Their task is to invite people to fix their gaze on Jesus and follow Him, because He alone is the Master, the Lord, the Savior."

"Your work, dear catechists and teachers of religion," he continued, "is more than ever necessary and requires from you constant fidelity to Christ and to the Church. Indeed, all the faithful have the right to receive from those who by virtue of their office or mandate are responsible for catechesis and preaching, non subjective answers that conform to the constant Magisterium of the Church."

The Holy Father highlighted that "the paths that must be made straight" mentioned in St. Luke's Gospel, are a reference to believers who, under the influence of the dominant mentality, subjectively consider certain elements of the heritage of faith, "and wander from the straight path of evangelical spirituality to find reference in vague values inspired by a conventional and irenical moralism."

In keeping with St. Paul's exhortation to preach the Gospel, "in all circumstances, in all environments, favorable or otherwise, Christ's Gospel must be courageously proposed, an announcement of joy for all people of whatever age, category, culture or nation. ... May the Christian message, complete and universal, permeate all milieux and levels of culture and social responsibility!"

John Paul II concluded by assuring catechists that they were always in his prayers. He gave homage to "many of your colleagues who have paid with all kinds of suffering, often with their lives, for their faithfulness to the Gospel and to the communities to which they were sent. May their example be a stimulus and encouragement for each of you."

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