VATICAN CITY, 8 JUN 2009 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Venezuela who have just completed their "ad limina" visit:
"The challenges you have to face in your pastoral work", the Pope told the prelates, "are increasingly numerous and difficult, and have recently been further augmented by a serious worldwide economic crisis. Nonetheless, the present moment also offers many authentic reasons for hope" because, "just as He did with the disciples of Emmaus, the risen Lord also walks at our side infusing us with His Spirit of love and strength, that we may open our hearts to a future of hope and eternal life".
The Holy Father reminded the bishops that they are facing an "exhilarating task of evangelisation", recalling in this context how they have begun the Mission for Venezuela in keeping with the Continental Mission promoted by the Fifth General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean, held in the Brazilian city of Aparecida. "I therefore encourage you", he said, "to increase initiatives that aim to make the figure and message of Jesus Christ known in all their fullness and beauty. To this end, apart from sound doctrinal formation of the People of God, it is important to encourage lives of profound faith and prayer".
The Pope went on to highlight "the importance of bishops' own spiritual lives" so that, "fully moulded by the Sacrament of Holy Orders to Christ the Head, they in some way become the visible sign of the Lord Jesus for the Church entrusted to their care". For this reason they must show everyone "the vital importance of faith, as well as the need to give priority of place to the vocation of sanctity".
"In order to carry out fruitful pastoral activity it is indispensable that there be close affective and effective communion among the pastors of the People of God", the Holy Father observed. "Such unity, which today as always must be visibly promoted and expressed, will be a source of consolation and of apostolic effectiveness in the ministry with which you have been entrusted", he said. In this context, Benedict XVI invited his audience to pay particular attention to their clergy and "to redouble efforts to encourage pastoral zeal among priests, and especially during this forthcoming Year for Priests".
Finally the Holy Father spoke of the need for a "mature laity that bears staunch witness to its faith and feels the joy of belonging to the Body of Christ, to which they must offer, among other things, adequate knowledge of the Social Doctrine of the Church. In this context, I appreciate your commitment to bring the light of the Gospel to shine on the most important events affecting your country, having no other interest than that of spreading the most genuine Christian values, also with a view to favouring the search for the common good, harmonious coexistence and social stability".
"In a special way, I entrust those in need to your care", Pope Benedict concluded. "Continue to support the many charitable initiatives of the Church in Venezuela so that our poorest brothers and sisters may experience the presence of He Who gave His life on the cross for all mankind".
AL/.../VENEZUELA VIS 090608 (550)
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