BRAZILIAN BISHOPS: PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO CONSECRATED LIFE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 10, 2002 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received a group of prelates from the Northeast Region III of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil who just completed their "ad limina" visit.

Speaking about consecrated persons, the Holy Father said that "modern society must see in these men and women the harmony that exists between the human and the divine, between visible and invisible things."

"What we see today throughout the national geography," he affirmed, "is the fruit of the hidden, silent and worthy labor of many lay men and women and so many religious who have contributed and continue to contribute to the building of the Christian soul of the Brazilian."

After emphasizing that "many religious communities of active and contemplative life are without a doubt a great resource of the Churches" over which the bishops preside, John Paul II said: "The Church cannot but express joy and appreciation for everything that the religious have done through universities, schools, hospitals and other works and institutions. ... I ask God to abundantly reward all religious communities for their collaboration."

Referring to those who work in the media, the Pope stressed the importance that "they are not led by ideologies contrary to the Magisterium of the Church, and that they are committed to maintaining unity with the seat of Peter."

The Holy Father encouraged the heads of the congregations and institutes of the different Brazilian dioceses to "offer a human, intellectual and spiritual formation to novices, a formation that allows for a conversion of their entire being to Christ in order that consecration shapes ever more their oblation to the Father. The activities and programs of the National Conference of Religious," he added, "must be defined above all 'by respect and distinct obedience to the Successor of Peter and the directives' of the Apostolic See."

"As a conference and also as individual pastors," he indicated, "you will undoubtedly examine with objectivity and respect the scarcity of vocations that is being seen in many institutes, while others continually flourish. It is an essential part of your ministry," he said to the prelates, "to help and guide the observance of vows. ... Care of the religious life is especially urgent when discussing vocational identity."

The Pope concluded by recalling that "the renewal of religious life will depend on growth in God's love. ... The only effective way of discovering the identity of one's vocation is hard but consoling; it is a path of sincere and personal conversion, with humble recognition of one's own imperfections and sins. Confidence in the strength of Christ's resurrection will help to overcome all aridity and frailty, to eliminate the feeling of disappointment experienced on certain occasions."

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