VATICAN CITY, MAY 11, 2006 (VIS) - Benedict XVI today received the first group of bishops from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. The prelates, from Quebec, have just completed their "ad limina" visit.
The Pope affirmed that this visit, and those to follow, are giving him the opportunity to reflect upon "certain significant themes regarding the mission of the Church in Canadian society, which is marked by pluralism, subjectivism and increasing secularization."
The Holy Father recalled how in 2008 the city of Quebec will celebrate the fourth centenary of its foundation and, in the same year, host the International Eucharistic Congress. He called on city's diocese to "rediscover ... the place the Eucharist must occupy in the life of the Church," noting how in their reports the bishops had highlighted "the notable drop in religious practice over the last few years," and "the lack of young people at Eucharistic assemblies."
"The faithful," the Pope said, "must be convinced of the vital importance of regular participation in Sunday Mass, that their faith may grow and find coherent expression. In fact, the Eucharist, source and summit of Christian life, unites and conforms us to the Son of God. It also builds the Church, strengthening her in her unity as the Body of Christ. No Christian community can be built up if it does not have its root and its core in the celebration of the Eucharist."
"Apart from the drop in the number of priests," he went on, "which at times makes it impossible to celebrate Sunday Mass in certain places, what is particularly worrying is the place occupied by sacramentality in the life of the Church. The requirements of pastoral organization must not compromise authentic ecclesiology. ... The central role of the priest - who 'in persona Christi capitis,' teaches, sanctifies and rules the community - must not be diminished."
"The importance of the role of the laity, for whose generosity in serving Christian communities I am most grateful, must never obscure the absolutely irreplaceable ministry of priests in the life of the Church. Consequently, priestly ministry cannot be entrusted to others without effectively prejudicing the very authenticity of the Church's being. Moreover, how will young men want to become priests if the role of ordained ministry is not clearly defined and recognized?"
Despite these problems, "the thirst for renewal perceptible in the faithful is a sign of hope," said Pope Benedict, and he went on to refer to the "positive impact" on young Canadians of World Youth Day, celebrated in Toronto in 2002, and of the Year of the Eucharist, which awoke a fresh interest in Eucharistic adoration.
"If, as John Paul II wrote, Christianity in our time must distinguish itself above all for 'the art of prayer,' how can we not feel a renewed need to dwell in spiritual conversation ... before Christ present in the Most Holy Sacrament?"
The Pope then went on to thank Canadian institutes of consecrated life for the "apostolic and spiritual commitment of their members," highlighting how "consecrated life is a gift of God benefiting the entire Church and serving life in the world." Hence, it must take place in a context of "solid ecclesial communion." On this subject, Benedict XVI invited consecrated men and women "to work ever more closely with pastors, welcoming and spreading Church doctrine in all its integrity."
"You, as well as the whole Christian community," the Pope concluded, "have a primordial duty to transmit the call of the Lord fearlessly, to awaken vocations and to accompany young people along the path of discernment and commitment, in the joy of celibacy. In this spirit, you must take care over the catechesis of children and young people. ... Thus, I invite the Catholic community of Quebec to pay renewed attention to its adherence to the truth of Church teaching on theology and morals, two inseparable aspects of being a Christian in the world."
AL/.../CANADA QUEBEC VIS 20060511 (670)
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