NICARAGUA: MAY THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRIST PERVADE SOCIETY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in the apostolic palace of Castelgandolfo, John Paul II received the prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua who have just finished their "ad limina" visit.

The Pope told the bishops that their pastoral ministry "must have as its primary objective to see that the truth about Christ and the truth about man pervade ever more deeply all levels of Nicaraguan society and transform it."

In spite of the fact that signs of secularization exist in Nicaragua, the Holy Father affirmed that at its basis "there is a profoundly Christian soul." In this regard, he mentioned "the tireless work of those responsible for spreading the Word and of catechists who have kept alive the faith of the people. It is necessary to accompany them and offer them a permanent theological and pastoral formation."

"The new evangelization," he continued, "with its new methods and new expressions, has in the family a primary objective. ... Families are not alone in the face of the great challenges that they must face; the ecclesial community supports them, animates them and guards their perseverance in a Christian project of life which is frequently subject to many vicissitudes and dangers." He expressed the hope that Nicaragua's leaders "will fulfill in an ever more adequate manner their pressing obligations in favor of families."

The Pope underscored that one of the principal concerns of the bishops "was priestly vocations, given that the number of priests is insufficient for the needs of each diocese. ... I fervently pray the Lord of the harvest to give to your seminaries, which must be like the heart of the dioceses, many candidates to the priesthood." He added: "If young people see that priests, around their bishop, live a true spirituality of communion, giving witness to unity and community among themselves, to an evangelical generosity and to missionary availability, they will feel a greater attraction to the priestly vocation."

Referring to the evangelization of culture, the Holy Father said that this sphere is "one of the 'modern areopagus' in which the Gospel must be presented with all of its force, and for that to occur the means of social communications are indispensable!"

The Holy Father said it is "up to the laity to promote the human and Christian values which enlighten the political, economic and cultural reality of the country, with the aim of installing a more just and equitable social order, according to the Church's social doctrine. At the same time, coherent with ethical and moral norms, they must be examples of honesty and transparency with running public affairs, in the face of the underhandedness and widespread scars of corruption which at times strike the areas of political and economic power as well as other public and social milieux."
In conclusion, John Paul II asked that, in view of the upcoming elections, "the consultation with the people take place in reciprocal respect, with order and tranquillity, according to the ethical principles of healthy coexistence."

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