SCANDINAVIAN BISHOPS: EVANGELIZE CULTURE, CHRISTIAN HUMANISM

VATICAN CITY, APR 5, 2003 (VIS) - Today John Paul II received bishops from the Scandinavian Episcopal Conference who just concluded their "ad limina" visit.

"By your personal witness to the living mystery of God, you make known the boundless love of the One Who has revealed Himself and His plan for humanity through Jesus Christ. In this way eloquent testimony is borne to God's extraordinary 'yes' to humanity."

"It is this message that needs to be heard today, clearly and unambiguously. In a world fraught with scepticism and confusion, it may seem to some that the light of Christ has been obscured. Indeed, modern societies and cultures are often marked by a secularism that easily leads to a loss of the sense of God, and without God the proper sense of man is soon lost as well."

"A central aspect of the 'new evangelization' to which I have called the entire Church is the evangelization of culture. ... The challenge facing you, dear Brothers, is to see that the voice of Christianity is heard in the public arena and that the values of the Gospel are brought to bear in your societies and cultures." Later, the Pope recalled the recent pastoral letter to bishops on marriage and family in which they encouraged "married couples to preserve and develop the value of marital indissolubility. ... Encouraging the faithful to promote the dignity of marriage ... is nothing less than helping them to share in the love of God, which is perfect, complete and always life-giving."

John Paul II went on to speak about the prelates' "deep sense of resonsibility in the face of ecological crises," their "generosity in providing humanitarian aid" and their "participation in peace-keeping missions. True humanism, however, always includes God. Otherwise it will eventually, even if unintentionally, deny human beings their proper place in creation and will fail to acknowledge fully the dignity which belongs to every person. Therefore, you must help your respective cultures to draw on their rich Christian heritage in shaping their understanding of the human person. In Christ all people are brothers and sisters, and our gestures of solidarity towards them become acts of love and fidelity to Christ. This is the foundation of the culture of life and civilization of love that we seek to build up, and it is also the perspective underlying your efforts to welcome the growing number of migrants in the Nordic lands."

"Your local ecumenical programs are likewise a source of encouragement, for the united witness of all Christians will do much to bring Gospel values to bear in society and advance the kingdom of God in our midst." The Holy Father emphasized that "ecumenism, correctly understood, forms part of the commitment of all Christians to bear witness to their faith. ... Although full communion in faith does not yet exist, this should not cause despair" and we must continue to pray and work with determination "for that unity which Christ wills for His Church."

After underlining that "the new millennium demands a 'new impetus in Christian living'," the Pope indicated that the "formation of programs for children, youth and adults" is indispensable. "Such pastoral initiatives, adapted to the particular circumstances of your people, will produce great fruits of holiness."

"Fundamental to your mission," he concluded, "is the continuing formation of diocesan clergy and religious as well as the adequate training of seminarians. Moreover, promotion of vocations to the priesthood and religious life must also be seen as a priority as you face the challenges of evangelization in the third Christian millennium."

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