Vatican City, 30 April 2015 (VIS) –
This morning Pope Francis received in audience the Community of
Christian Life (CVX) and the Student Missionary League, for the
inauguration of the National Conference of the two Italian groups,
exponents of Ignatian spirituality, to be held in Frascati, Italy,
from today until 3 May, on the theme “Beyond Walls”. The Holy
Father handed them a written discourse in which he indicates various
priorities to be taken into account on their spiritual and community
path.
First, he mentions the challenge of
promoting a culture of justice and peace. “Faced with a culture of
illegality, corruption and confrontation, you are called to devote
yourselves to the common good, also through service to those linked
to politics. If Christians dissociate themselves from direct
involvement in politics, it would be a betrayal of the mission of the
lay faithful, who are called upon to be salt and light in the world,
also through this form of presence”.
He focuses on family pastoral ministry,
following the last Synod of Bishops, as a second apostolic priority,
and encouraged them to help diocesan communities in their care for
families, the vital cell of society, an in accompanying couples as
they prepare for marriage. He also emphasises the importance of
working with those who have “drifted away” from the Church: among
them there are many separated couples, “who suffer as a result of
the failure of their plans for married life”, and also other
difficult family situations.
Finally, he turns his attention to
missionary life, and encourages them to maintain their capacity to
“go out towards the frontiers of humanity at its neediest”. The
Pope mentions the members of communities present in Syria, Lebanon
and plans for the reception of immigrants in Sicily, and reminds them
that, “in this luminous and fruitful apostolic style, you too can
be active in inspiring the various educational institutions in Italy,
Catholic and state-managed, as in other parts of the world”.
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