Vatican City, 24 April 2015 (VIS) –
Today Pope Francis received in audience the bishops of Lesotho and
Namibia, “lands known for their flourishing Christian faith”, at
the end of the “ad Limina” visit. In the written discourse he
handed to the prelates, the Pope recalled the labours and sacrifices
of many missionaries, who were supported by generations of indigenous
companions in lands which have often presented great challenges, both
environmental and social, but which are known for their churches and
chapels, parishes, mission stations and outstations, “which draw
many to a community life centred on prayer and work”.
“Renowned too are your numerous
schools at every level, your clinics and hospitals, built with love
and faithfulness from the materials of Namibia’s soil and Lesotho’s
mountains. I encourage you to continue supporting and nurturing these
great blessings, even when resources are sparse, for the Lord
promises that he will not fail to bless us”.
He continued, “I know that your
communities face many challenges daily, and I am sure that this
weighs heavily on your hearts. Strengthen them in love to overcome
selfishness in private or public life; be generous in bringing them
the tenderness of Christ where threats to human life occur, from the
womb to old age – and I think particularly of those suffering with
HIV and AIDS”. He encouraged them to “not only win them to the
cause of Christ but also make them protagonists of a renewed African
society”.
The Pope goes on to mention Christian
families that are fragmented due to employment far away from home, or
because of separation or divorce and urged the bishops to continue
offering them help and guidance, preparing couples for Christian
marriage, and constantly sustaining families by offering generously
the Church’s Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of mercy. “I
thank you for your efforts in promoting healthy family life in the
face of distorted views that emerge in contemporary society. … The
family is the best setting for learning and applying the culture of
forgiveness, peace and reconciliation. … From healthy families will
come numerous priestly vocations, families where men have learned to
love inasmuch as they have been unconditionally loved ...having
learned respect, justice, the role of authority expressed by parents
and loving concern”.
“In a time of an apparent decrease in
vocations to the priesthood and to religious life, it is important to
speak openly about the fulfilling and joyful experience of offering
one’s life to Christ”, continues the Holy Father. “For when
your Christian communities are built up by your own continued example
of 'living in truth and joy your priestly commitments, celibacy in
chastity and detachment from material possessions', then vocations to
the priesthood and the consecrated life will most certainly abound”.
He thanks God for “the continued witness and service of so many
communities of religious brothers and sisters who are vital to the
praying heart of the Church, along with the many committed sodalities
and other lay associations of the Church in Lesotho and Namibia”.
He also notes, when developing pastoral plans, in paying careful
spiritual attention to the poorest in society. “I ask you to be
particularly mindful of those most in need in your Churches,
entrusting all your initiatives to God's care”.
Finally, he exhorts the bishops to
“persevere as men of deep and constant prayer, in the way of
Blessed Joseph Gerard, who listened to the promptings of the Holy
Spirit in all matters. Prayer precedes and leads to authentic
evangelisation. As you know from experience, when the Church summons
all Christians to constantly take up anew the task of evangelising
the world, 'she is simply pointing to the source of authentic
personal fulfilment'; that is, she is showing us the path to our
deepest happiness”.
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