OPEN WIDE THE DOORS OF AMERICA TO CHRIST AND HIS GOSPEL

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received the counsellors and members of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America who participated in their Plenary Assembly from March 20 to 23 at the Vatican.

John Paul II affirmed that the challenges of the evangelizing mission in Latin American countries are numerous. "One of these," said the Pope, "is to conserve, defend, and increase the integrity of the faith. ... To this end it is necessary to give particular attention to the problem of sects which constitute 'a grave hindrance to the work of evangelization'. ... A determined pastoral action is necessary to confront this grave problem, reviewing the pastoral methods used, reinforcing the structures of communion and mission." The Pope assured that, where there are evangelizers, "sects do not prosper."

"Another challenge of particular importance," he continued, "is the promotion and care for vocations. Latin America needs many priests. ... To the bishops I recommend a regular and constant presence among the seminarians and above all among the priests, to accompany them, encourage them, and inspire them to generous work."

The Holy Father then made reference to the evangelization of youth: "It is necessary," he emphasized, "to evangelize them profoundly, starting from their resources of generosity, openness, and intuition. I hope that the next World Youth Day, which will be celebrated in America, in Toronto, Canada may be a new and decisive milestone in the evangelization of youth in this beloved continent."

After recalling Christ's words to St. Peter, "Duc in altum," quoted in his Apostolic Letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte," John Paul II said: "The Pope repeats these words to you, fishers of men, at the conclusion of your Plenary Assembly. Open wide the doors of America to Christ and to His Gospel! Your nations need, today as yesterday, great evangelizes of the nature and talent of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, whose feast we celebrate today, proclaimed Patron of all Latin American bishops by myself in 1983."

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