HOLY FATHER WELCOMES CURSILLOS DE CRISTIANDAD

VATICAN CITY, MAY 4, 2002 (VIS) - The Pope today welcomed 350 members of the Cursillos de Cristiandad movement and, in the opening remarks of his speech, noted that "the seed sown more than 50 years ago in Spain" has become so fruitful that "the Cursillos are present in more than 60 countries on all continents and in 800 dioceses."

He recalled that, in Jubilee Year encounters with the Cursillos and others belonging to ecclesial movements and new communities, he "recognized in these new ecclesial realities a providential answer, inspired by the Holy Spirit, for Christian formation and evangelization. However, I also exhorted (all) to grow in conscience and ecclesial identity."

"That invitation is still current and urgent," said the pope. "Within this commitment to reach an ever more solid ecclesial maturity is the request that the world body of the Cursillos has made to the competent office of the Roman Curia to obtain canonical recognition and approval of its Statutes."

"What does the kerygmatic announcement at the heart of your movement mean," John Paul asked, "if not 'to fix ones eyes on the face of Christ'? ... What does such a glance involve, if not entrusting oneself to 'the primacy of grace' in order to undertake a path of catechesis and prayer, of conversion and holiness of life? What fruits does it produce if not a firm sense of belonging to the Church and a renewed drive for evangelization in the spheres of life and daily activity?"

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