HAITI'S BISHOPS ARE RECEIVED BY POPE AT CASTELGANDOLFO

VATICAN CITY, SEP 14, 2001 (VIS) - Bishops from Haiti were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning in Castelgandolfo as they conclude their quinquennial "ad limina" visit to the See of Peter.

Addressing them in French, the Pope focussed on the "dramatic political and economic situation in Haiti," citing the bishops' own five-year reports. "The important growth in population and the precarious nature of the agricultural and industrial conjunction have produced endemic unemployment, causing many inhabitants to go from the country to the city. This exodus further deteriorates ecological balance and renders families, the vital cell of society, fragile."

He said that Catholics are called to play a role in political development and urged the international community "to show solidarity in this area." The Holy Father also stressed the need to continually evangelize the population, saying that Haiti's extreme poverty and "the syncretism and the ignorance of Christians creates a favorable terrain for the proliferation of sectarian groups tempted to exploit the credulity of the poor."

"In the difficult context that the country is living," he went on, "the seeds for division are numerous. That is why it is essential to make communion ever stronger and more visible." He then stressed some of the bishops' priorities, including promoting a laity with "solid spiritual, intellectual and ecclesial formation," and "developing a vigorous family pastoral ministry to respond to the news challenges facing the Church in Haiti." This ministry, he stated, must be centered "on the basic values of the family and Christian marriage. He urged the prelates to "awaken people to the irreplaceable witness of the family, the basic school of society!"

John Paul II also exhorted the bishops to make young people "the object of your permanent solicitude. They are often tempted to respond with violence, marginalization, exile or resignation to the crying inequalities which deprive them of future perspectives and deny them hope. I hope the legitimate questions of the new generations will be taken ever more under consideration."

The Pope observed that "education constitutes an irreplaceable terrain for the healthy growth of the young generations, contributing to make (others) respect their basic human rights. ... To fight the scourge of illiteracy and assure youth of a human, spiritual and moral formation, Catholic schools, in the rich diversity of their charisms and their educational projects, render an essential service to the life of the Church and the nation. ... I encourage (the educational communities) to pursue their noble mission."

He thanked Haiti's priests, religious and lay faithful for their commitments to education, the family, health and welfare, and social promotion, stressing that he "knows the difficult conditions in which they must proclaim the Gospel." He urged priests to give "renewed attention" to ecclesial grassroots communities. "I ask pastors to remain vigilant so that these communities are truly missionary."

AL;...;...;HAITI;VIS;20010914;Word: 470;