Vatican City, 5 May 2014 (VIS) –
Collaboration with civil society, the evangelisation of a divided
society and the formation of future clergy were the central themes of
the written discourse that the Pope handed to the bishops of the
Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi, whom he received today at
the end of their “ad limina” visit.
The Holy Father mentions the
collaboration between the Holy See and the Republic of Burundi,
formalised in the framework Agreement signed in November 2012, which
came into effect last February, and which promises “a rich future
for the proclamation of the Gospel”. He encourages the bishops to
take their place, as they have already done, in social and political
dialogue, and to meet with political figures without hesitation.
“Persons in positions of authority are the first to be in need of
your witness of faith and your courageous proclamation of Christian
values, to know better the social doctrine of the Church, appreciate
its value and to be inspired by it in the administration of public
affairs”.
Burundi in its recent past, has
experienced terrible conflicts that continue to influence the unity
of the people, causing deep wounds that are yet to heal. “Only an
authentic conversion of hearts to the Gospel can turn men to
fraternal love and forgiveness, as to the extent that He reigns
within us, the life of society will be a setting for universal
fraternity, justice, peace and dignity for all. The profound
evangelisation of your people remains your first concern for ensuring
true reconciliation”.
If the first witnesses called upon to
live the authenticity of this conversion are naturally priests, it is
necessary for future clergy to receive, “as well as the necessary
intellectual formation, a solid spiritual, human and pastoral
formation. These are the four pillars of formation. Because it is
through their lives, through their daily relations, that they bring
the Gospel to all. An administrative approach should not prevail over
a pastoral approach, and neither should concentration on
administering the sacraments apart from other forms of
evangelisation”.
Pope Francis notes the admirable work
of religious congregations in education, hospitals and assistance to
refugees, and reminded the prelates that many new communities that
are formed require “careful and prudent discernment to guarantee a
sound formation for their members, and to accompany the evolution
they are called upon to live for the good of all the Church”.
“The recent history of your country
has been difficult”, he concludes, “marked by division and
violence in a context of extreme poverty, which unfortunately
continues. In spite of this, the courageous efforts of evangelisation
in your pastoral ministry bear fruit in the form of conversion and
reconciliation. I invite you to not falter in hope, but to go forward
boldly with a renewed missionary spirit, to bring the Good News to
all those who are still waiting or who most need to finally know the
Lord's mercy”.
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