VATICAN CITY, 2 APR 2009 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received a second group of prelates from the Argentinean Episcopal Conference, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.
"As in many other parts of the world", the Pope told the bishops, "you in Argentina also feel a pressing need to practice an extensive and incisive evangelisation which, bearing in mind the Christian values that moulded the history and culture of your country, may lead to a spiritual and moral renaissance in your communities, and in society as a whole".
"To evangelise is first of all to bear witness, in a simple and direct way, to God revealed by Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit. It is to bear witness that in His Son God has loved the world", said the Pope quoting words of his predecessor Paul VI. He went on: "This clear and explicit announcement of Christ as man's Saviour is part of the exhilarating search for truth, beauty and goodness which characterises human beings". For this reason "announcement and witness of the Gospel are the primary service Christians can give to individuals and the entire human race".
"All evangelising activity springs from a threefold love: for the Word of God, for the Church and for the world. ... Through Sacred Scripture Christ makes Himself known to us in His person, His life and His doctrine". Hence, prelates must "facilitate the access of all faithful to Sacred Scripture so that, placing the Word of God at the centre of their lives, they may welcome Christ as Redeemer and His light may illuminate all areas of human existence".
"Given that the Word of God cannot be understood separate from or outside the Church, it is important to foment a spirit of communion and faithfulness to the Magisterium, especially among those whose mission it is to transmit the Gospel message in its entirety", said the Holy Father.
"It must be borne in mind that the primary form of evangelisation is the witness of one's own life", the Pope insisted. Then, referring specifically to priests, he indicated that "the priest has a heavy responsibility to ensure that his conduct appears irreproachable in the eyes of the faithful, closely following Christ".
"Announcing the Gospel involves everyone in the Church, including the lay faithful who receive that mission through Baptism and Confirmation", said the Holy Father, and he encouraged the bishops "to ensure that lay people become increasingly aware of their vocation as living members of the Church and true disciples and missionaries of Christ in all things".
Finally, Pope Benedict concluded: "How many benefits may we hope to see, also for civil society, by the resurgence of mature lay people who seek sanctity in their everyday lives, in full communion with their pastors and firm in their apostolic vocation to be evangelical ferment in the world!"
AL/.../ARGENTINA VIS 20090402 (490)
"As in many other parts of the world", the Pope told the bishops, "you in Argentina also feel a pressing need to practice an extensive and incisive evangelisation which, bearing in mind the Christian values that moulded the history and culture of your country, may lead to a spiritual and moral renaissance in your communities, and in society as a whole".
"To evangelise is first of all to bear witness, in a simple and direct way, to God revealed by Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit. It is to bear witness that in His Son God has loved the world", said the Pope quoting words of his predecessor Paul VI. He went on: "This clear and explicit announcement of Christ as man's Saviour is part of the exhilarating search for truth, beauty and goodness which characterises human beings". For this reason "announcement and witness of the Gospel are the primary service Christians can give to individuals and the entire human race".
"All evangelising activity springs from a threefold love: for the Word of God, for the Church and for the world. ... Through Sacred Scripture Christ makes Himself known to us in His person, His life and His doctrine". Hence, prelates must "facilitate the access of all faithful to Sacred Scripture so that, placing the Word of God at the centre of their lives, they may welcome Christ as Redeemer and His light may illuminate all areas of human existence".
"Given that the Word of God cannot be understood separate from or outside the Church, it is important to foment a spirit of communion and faithfulness to the Magisterium, especially among those whose mission it is to transmit the Gospel message in its entirety", said the Holy Father.
"It must be borne in mind that the primary form of evangelisation is the witness of one's own life", the Pope insisted. Then, referring specifically to priests, he indicated that "the priest has a heavy responsibility to ensure that his conduct appears irreproachable in the eyes of the faithful, closely following Christ".
"Announcing the Gospel involves everyone in the Church, including the lay faithful who receive that mission through Baptism and Confirmation", said the Holy Father, and he encouraged the bishops "to ensure that lay people become increasingly aware of their vocation as living members of the Church and true disciples and missionaries of Christ in all things".
Finally, Pope Benedict concluded: "How many benefits may we hope to see, also for civil society, by the resurgence of mature lay people who seek sanctity in their everyday lives, in full communion with their pastors and firm in their apostolic vocation to be evangelical ferment in the world!"
AL/.../ARGENTINA VIS 20090402 (490)
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