VATICAN CITY, NOV 26, 2005 (VIS) - Today, Benedict XVI received in audience the first group of prelates from the Conference of the Polish Episcopate who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.
"I recall with emotion," said the Pope at the beginning of his address to the bishops, "the great prayer with which the Poles accompanied John Paul II throughout his pontificate, and in particular over the days of his passage to the glory of the Lord. I am grateful to be able to count upon the same prayerful support. It is something I greatly appreciate and constantly request."
Among the themes he discussed with the Polish episcopate, Benedict XVI laid particular emphasis on the question of Christian education in the light of the Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesai in Europa," where John Paul II called on the continent "to give greater attention to the training of young people in the faith."
"The faithful and fruitful realization of the mission of education which the Church is facing today, calls for adequate evaluation of the situation of the young people towards whom it is directed," he said. "I am aware that economic difficulties, consistently high levels of unemployment, and concern over guaranteeing material existence all have an effect on the way of life of many Polish families. It is not possible to create truly authentic attitudes without bearing in mind these problems, which also affect young people."
The Holy Father also noted the presence of "many positive phenomena that support and assist education in the faith," such as "a profound sensitivity towards the needs of others, especially those of the poor," and "a real interest for questions of faith and religion."
"Education in faith," the Pope explained, "must consist in the first place of developing that which is good in man. ... In the Church's educational initiatives, it would also be appropriate ... to accustom children and young people to prayer. ... Among the various forms of prayer, a special place is reserved for the liturgy. In Poland, young people participate actively and in large numbers in Sunday Mass."
Going on to refer to the enthusiastic participation of young Poles in Catholic groups, Benedict XVI made particular mention of the "Light and Life" movement. "The spirituality of this movement is focussed on the encounter with God in Holy Scripture and in the Eucharist," he said, calling on the prelates to support it "as being particularly effective in educating in the faith, though without, of course, overlooking other movements."
The Holy Father then addressed the question of cooperation with families and lay associations, in the field of education. "The formation of young generations is the task of parents, of the Church and of the State," he said. "Therefore, ... the Church must collaborate very closely with schools, universities and other lay institutions."
The teaching of religion in schools must "maintain its true evangelical dimension of transmitting and bearing witness to the faith," Pope Benedict observed. As for the catechesis of adults, he called on the bishops to "support those institutions that already undertake" this activity.
The final points of the Holy Father's address to the Polish episcopate concerned pastoral care in universities and in the world of culture and of the communications media.
"After years of scant freedom, the Church in Poland has been able to establish her own universities and theological faculties, most of which have become part of the infrastructure of State-run universities," the Pope said.
He then went on to observe how Poland, with its "rich cultural heritage rooted in Christian values," had entered the European Union, adding that the country "must not lose this heritage." The Pope also highlighted the fact that, in the world of culture, a special role is played by the communications media, "which thus constitute a valuable instrument of evangelization." And he invited the prelates to establish contact "with the world of journalists and other media operators. It may be appropriate to organize special pastoral initiatives specifically for them."
Benedict XVI concluded by quoting the Vatican Council II Declaration "Gravissimum educationis," wherein the Conciliar Fathers remind pastors of "their most serious obligation to see to it that all the faithful, but especially the youth who are the hope of the Church, enjoy a Christian education."
"This exhortation is still relevant," said the Holy Father, "and it may be even more urgent today, in the face of the new challenges presented by current social phenomena."
AL/.../POLAND VIS 20051128 (750)
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