Vatican City, 15 May 2015 (VIS) – The
role of the Church in the process of national reconciliation,
Christian formation and the deepening of faith at all levels, and the
defence of the family as the primary locus for learning forgiveness
and faith were the central themes of the discourse Pope Francis
handed to the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of the Central
African Republic this morning, at the end of their “ad Limina”
visit. “I would like you to convey to all your people the assurance
of my closeness”, writes the Holy Father. “I know of the
suffering that they have experienced and continue to experience, as
well as the countless testimonies of faith and fidelity Christians
have rendered to the risen Christ on numerous occasions. I am
particularly aware of all that your communities have done to for
victims of violence and for refugees”.
“Your task is difficult, but it
touches the very mystery of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again. It
is when evil and death seem to triumph that the hope of renewal in
Christ emerges. It is when hatred and violence are unleashed that we
are called upon – and find the strength through the power of the
Cross and the grace of Baptism – to respond with forgiveness and
love. If, sadly, this has not always been the case in the recent
events that you have experienced, it is a sign that the Gospel has
not yet deeply penetrated the heart of the People of God, to the
point of changing their reflexes and their behaviour. Your churches
are the result of recent evangelisation, and your primary mission is
to continue the work recently begun. You must not be discouraged by
the storm you are passing through, but on the contrary must find, in
faith and hope, a source of renewed enthusiasm and dynamism”.
Christian formation and the deepening
of faith at all levels must be the bishops' priorities, “so that
the Gospel permeates the life of the baptised, for the good not only
of the Christian communities, but also the whole of Central African
society. ... You, brothers in the episcopate, must play an
indispensable prophetic role during the current institutional
transition, recalling and reflecting the witness of the fundamental
values of justice, truth and honesty, which are the foundation of any
renewal, promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence between members
of different societies and ethnicities, thus encouraging
reconciliation and social cohesion, which is the key to the future. …
You are called upon to form the conscience of the faithful, and
indeed that of all the people, as your voice is heard and respected
by all. It is in this way that you should take your rightful place in
current developments, avoiding direct involvement in political
quarrels. However, by forming and encouraging the laity so they are
steadfast in their faith and solidly trained in the social doctrine
of the Church, able to engage in political debate and to take
responsibility – their role – you are able to gradually transform
society according to the Gospel and to prepare a happy future for
your people”.
The Pope also emphasises the formation
of seminarians and priests, and thanks them for their witness even in
the most difficult situations, and he recalls the importance of
consecrated persons who live close to afflicted populations and whose
devotion is praiseworthy.
Finally, he spoke about families, “who
are the first victims of violence and who are too often destabilised
or destroyed as a result of the departure of a member, bereavement,
poverty, discord and separations. I wish to express to them my
closeness and my affection. … Families are not only the privileged
location for the announcement of faith, the practice of Christian
virtues and the cradle of many priestly and religious vocations, but
they are also 'the best setting for learning and applying the culture
of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation', which your country needs.
It is essential that the family be protected and defended 'so that it
may offer society the service expected of it, that of providing men
and women capable of building a social fabric of peace and harmony'.
I can therefore only encourage you to accord to the pastoral care of
marriage the attention that it deserves, and not to be discouraged by
resistance due to cultural traditions, human weakness or the new
forms of ideological colonisation that are spreading everywhere”.
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