VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2005 (VIS) - Made public today was a message sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, in the name of the Pope, to participants in the plenary assembly of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE), which closes on October 2.
In the message, Cardinal Sodano communicates the Holy Father's reflections on the three principle themes examined during the plenary.
Referring to the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of Vatican Council II, Benedict XVI calls for "reflection on the topical importance of the lessons of the Council in the current situation of the Church and society in Europe." After recalling the reference made by Servant of God Paul VI to the cultural context in which the Council was celebrated, "characterized by secularism, laicism and irrationalism," the Pope asks, "how can we not think of Europe today?"
Despite the fact that "these negative tendencies have spread through the old continent," it must be noted that the "beneficial influence of the Council, ... over the course of the years, has preserved humanity and the Church herself from a crisis that, at the end of the second millennium, could have been much worse. Now it is up to us to take up and transmit the conciliar legacy in order not to lose the guidance the Lord has given His Church."
As for the second theme considered by the CCEE plenary - evangelization and faith in Europe - the Holy Father notes that "over the last few decades there has been a growing awareness that the task of evangelization is becoming ever more indispensable for Europe." Furthermore, he adds, "religious pluralism has been growing in Europe, with a strong increase in the presence of Muslims. In this context, it is even more urgently important for Christians to become aware of the fact that the Gospel cannot be witheld. Then there is Europe's responsibility to evangelize the world."
The papal message also refers to the plenary's third theme, that of evangelization and dialogue through catechesis, school, university, and the communications media. After highlighting "the legacy of Popes Paul VI and John Paul II, who knew how to unite, in an extraordinary fashion, missionary drive and tireless openness to dialogue," it concludes with an exhortation "not to be afraid to face current pastoral challenges."
MESS/.../CCEE VIS 20051003 (390)
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