VATICAN CITY, NOV 10, 2007 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father received prelates from the Portuguese Episcopal Conference who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.
In his talk to them the Pope invited the bishops to give thanks to God "for the great mercy He showed towards the pilgrim Church in Portugal during the Holy Year, and over subsequent years which were impregnated with that same jubilee spirit."
Benedict XVI recalled the numerous initiatives undertaken by Portuguese prelates during recent times: "the general register of Sunday Mass, ... the organization, in more than one diocese, of a Eucharistic 'statio,' ... the celebration of a national meeting for movements and new ecclesial communities and of a congress on the family, ... the signing in 2004 of a new Concordat, and the acclamation of exemplary sanctity in the person of a number of new Blesseds."
Referring to the need to find "new ways to integrate the faithful into community life," the Pope said: "It is necessary to change the manner of organization of the Portuguese ecclesial community and the mentality of its members," so as to ensure "that the Church marches to the rhythm of Vatican Council II and that the functions of clergy and laity remain clearly established," at the same time bearing in mind the fact that "we are all one since we were baptized and integrated into the family of the children of God, and we are all responsible for the growth of the Church."
"Ecclesiology of communion in accordance with the Council," the Pope continued, "is the right path that must be followed," though "without losing sight of possible obstacles such as horizontalism, ... democratization in the attribution of sacramental ministries, parity between conferred orders and new services, and discussion over which of the members of the community is first (a useless discussion because the Lord Jesus has already decided who is last)."
The Holy Father pointed out that, despite the fact that it is sometimes necessary to discuss the attribution of responsibility, "such questions must not distract us from the true mission of the Church" which must "speak principally not of herself but of God."
"The evangelization of individuals and of communities depends on ... the encounter with Jesus Christ," said Benedict XVI, recalling how "Christian initiation normally takes place via the Church."
"Faced with the large number of non-practicing Christians in your dioceses," said the Pope, "it might be worthwhile to verify 'the effectiveness of current approaches to Christian initiation, so that the faithful can be helped both to mature through the formation received in our communities and to give their lives an authentically Eucharistic direction, so that they can offer a reason for the hope within them in a way suited to our times'."
The Pope concluded by recalling the recent celebrations for the 90th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady. "I like to think of Fatima," he said, "as a school of faith in which the Virgin Mary is the teacher. There she placed her cathedra to teach the young wayfarers, and later the masses, the eternal truths and the arts of prayer, belief and love."
AL/.../PORTUGAL VIS 20071112 (540)
In his talk to them the Pope invited the bishops to give thanks to God "for the great mercy He showed towards the pilgrim Church in Portugal during the Holy Year, and over subsequent years which were impregnated with that same jubilee spirit."
Benedict XVI recalled the numerous initiatives undertaken by Portuguese prelates during recent times: "the general register of Sunday Mass, ... the organization, in more than one diocese, of a Eucharistic 'statio,' ... the celebration of a national meeting for movements and new ecclesial communities and of a congress on the family, ... the signing in 2004 of a new Concordat, and the acclamation of exemplary sanctity in the person of a number of new Blesseds."
Referring to the need to find "new ways to integrate the faithful into community life," the Pope said: "It is necessary to change the manner of organization of the Portuguese ecclesial community and the mentality of its members," so as to ensure "that the Church marches to the rhythm of Vatican Council II and that the functions of clergy and laity remain clearly established," at the same time bearing in mind the fact that "we are all one since we were baptized and integrated into the family of the children of God, and we are all responsible for the growth of the Church."
"Ecclesiology of communion in accordance with the Council," the Pope continued, "is the right path that must be followed," though "without losing sight of possible obstacles such as horizontalism, ... democratization in the attribution of sacramental ministries, parity between conferred orders and new services, and discussion over which of the members of the community is first (a useless discussion because the Lord Jesus has already decided who is last)."
The Holy Father pointed out that, despite the fact that it is sometimes necessary to discuss the attribution of responsibility, "such questions must not distract us from the true mission of the Church" which must "speak principally not of herself but of God."
"The evangelization of individuals and of communities depends on ... the encounter with Jesus Christ," said Benedict XVI, recalling how "Christian initiation normally takes place via the Church."
"Faced with the large number of non-practicing Christians in your dioceses," said the Pope, "it might be worthwhile to verify 'the effectiveness of current approaches to Christian initiation, so that the faithful can be helped both to mature through the formation received in our communities and to give their lives an authentically Eucharistic direction, so that they can offer a reason for the hope within them in a way suited to our times'."
The Pope concluded by recalling the recent celebrations for the 90th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady. "I like to think of Fatima," he said, "as a school of faith in which the Virgin Mary is the teacher. There she placed her cathedra to teach the young wayfarers, and later the masses, the eternal truths and the arts of prayer, belief and love."
AL/.../PORTUGAL VIS 20071112 (540)
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