VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father welcomed 27 prelates this morning from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and, in his talk to them as they conclude their "ad limina" visit, encouraged them to be effective instruments of Christ and, "united in your proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ, go forward in hope!"
The Pope noted that "Jesus Christ continues to draw the peoples of your two island nations to a still deeper faith and life in Him. ... The recent national 'General Assembly' in Papua New Guinea and the 'Seminar' in the Solomon Islands have addressed this task. From these two events clear signs of hope have emerged including the keen participation of the young in the mission of the Church, the outstanding generosity of missionaries, and the flowering of local vocations. At the same time you have not hesitated to recognize the difficulties which continue to afflict your dioceses. ... The faithful look to you to be courageous witnesses to Christ."
"Priests are and must be a bishop's closest cooperators," underscored Benedict XVI. "Your interest in their well-being must be of the utmost importance to you. This special relationship is expressed most effectively through your assiduous care to uphold the unique identity of your priests, to encourage their personal sanctification in the ministry, and to foster a deepening of their pastoral commitment."
The Holy Father stated that "priestly identity must never be likened to any secular title or confused with civic or political office. Rather, configured to Christ Who emptied Himself taking the form of a servant, the priest lives a life of simplicity, chastity and humble service, which inspires others by example. At the heart of the priesthood is the daily, devout celebration of Holy Mass. In this Year of the Eucharist I appeal to your priests: be faithful to this commitment."
Noting that evangelization is one of the bishops' priorities, as is "concern for the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral development of your seminarians, as well as men and women religious in training," the Pope encouraged the bishops "to ensure careful selection of candidates, to supervise your seminaries personally and to provide regular programmes of ongoing formation so necessary for deepening priestly and religious identity and enriching joyful commitment to celibacy. Finally in this regard, I offer my prayers of deep gratitude for those who serve in seminaries and houses of formation. Please let them know that the Holy Father thanks them for their generosity."
Pope Benedict told the bishops that if their catechists' "great zeal" for evangelization is to succeed, "then the pastoral priorities which you have identified - especially that of marriage and stable family life - will require corresponding, appropriate adult catechetical programmes."
AL/.../PAPUA NEW GUINEA:SOLOMON ISLANDS VIS 20050627 (470)
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