SYRO-MALANKARA CHURCH, ONE OF FASTEST GROWING IN THE WORLD

VATICAN CITY, MAY 13, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received eight bishops of the Syro-Malankara Church, who are in Rome on their "ad limina" visit and, in his talk to them in English, recalled that Pope Pius XI received their forefathers into full communion just over seventy years ago.

"You have become one of the fastest growing Catholic communities in the world," the Pope noted, "boasting large numbers of vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and your 'pusillus grex' is home to many educational and welfare institutions. The new Law of Christ which compels us to go beyond the boundaries of family, race, tribe or nation is concretely manifested in your generosity to others."

He affirmed that "the people of India rightly take pride in their rich cultural and spiritual heritage, expressed in the innate characteristics of 'contemplation, simplicity, harmony, detachment, non-violence, discipline, frugal living, the thirst for learning and philosophical enquiry' which distinguish those living on the subcontinent. These same traits permeate the Syro-Malankara community, allowing the Church to 'communicate the Gospel in a way which is faithful both to her own traditions and to the Asian soul'."

"At a moment of growing secularism and, at times, of blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life," underlined the Holy Father, "bishops are called to remind the people by their preaching and teaching of the need for an ever deeper reflection on moral and social issues. The Syro-Malankara presence in the fields of education and social services places you in an excellent position to prepare all men and women of good will to face these issues in a truly human manner."

He went on to say that "responding to this challenge in a proper fashion necessitates an inculturation of Christian ethics at all levels of human society; this is a difficult and delicate task. ... Your long experience as a small community of Christians in a predominately non-Christian land has prepared you to become ... 'leaven', a fitting instrument of transformation, ... that requires an intimate change of cultural values through integration into Christianity and subsequent insertion into the various human cultures."

John Paul II then highlighted the need for well-formed and spiritually vibrant priests and religious, stating that "properly trained ambassadors of Christ are necessary for this ministry of 'building up the Church'. For this reason bishops must work unceasingly to identify and encourage young people to answer the call to the priesthood and the religious life. ... Your strong leadership will do much to encourage religious communities to persevere in their edifying example as witnesses to Christ's joy."

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