ARGENTINA: NEW EVANGELIZATION, REMEDY FOR COUNTRY'S HARDSHIPS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 5, 2002 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received the second group of prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Argentina, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

The Pope encouraged the bishops to approach "the new evangelization in an effective way ... Never hesitate to put all your pastoral zeal and determination into the work of the new evangelization, with the intimate conviction that it will illuminate the activity of lay Christians and that it will be an effective and lasting remedy for the grave hardships that many people of your nation are presently enduring."

After emphasizing that the Argentinian bishops can count on the help of priests in pastoral action, he underlined that they should remember above all that they are "men of God, and for that reason, can never neglect the spiritual life ... Among the many activities that fill the daily life of every priest, the celebration of the Eucharist is the supreme act that likens him to the Highest and Eternal Priest. In the presence of God, each priest finds the strength to live the demands of the ministry and the docility to do the will of He who called, consecrated and sent him, entrusting him with a special and necessary mission."

John Paul II went on to refer to the importance of Mass "for the edification, growth and revitalization of Christian communities. Nothing will ever be able to replace the Mass; although the celebration of the Word when a priest is not present helps to keep the faith alive, the goal must be the regular celebration of the Eucharist ... Pastoral action that encourages believers to participate more frequently in the Sunday Eucharist must be increased, something which must be lived not only as a precept but as a necessity that is deeply inscribed in Christian life."

He continued: "Another area of pastoral action that requires special attention is the promotion and defense of the family as an institution, which today suffers attacks from so many different fronts with multiple and subtle arguments." He assured the bishops that he was aware of the efforts they were making "to defend and promote this institution which has its origin in God and in His plan of salvation. The extension of the crisis of marriage and the family must not lead to depression or indifference. On the contrary, it must move us to proclaim firmly - as an authentic service to the family and to society - the truth about marriage and the family established by God. Failing to do so would be a serious pastoral omission which would mislead both believers and those who have the grave responsibility of making decisions regarding the common good of the nation."

The Pope asked the bishops to support families and to encourage pastoral services for them in the dioceses. In addition, he exhorted them to awaken their "apostolic zeal to carry out the task of the new evangelization, to open the door to those who live in difficult situations, and to give testimony to the great dignity of disinterested and unconditional love." He concluded: "Nor must we forget that, for the defense and promotion of the family, adequate preparation of those who are preparing for the sacrament of marriage is important."

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