Vatican City, 8 June 2015 (VIS) – The
prelates of the Puerto Rican Episcopal Conference were received in
audience by Pope Francis this morning, at the end of their “ad
Limina” visit. In the written discourse he handed to the bishops,
Francis recalls that one of the first dioceses of the American
continent was founded on this Caribbean archipelago, and he invites
them to be “heralds of the Gospel and custodians of the hopes of
the people”, called to “continue inscribing the work of God in
the local Churches, inspired by a spirit of ecclesial communion,
ensuring that faith grows and the light of the truth shines in our
days too”.
“Spend your energy not in divisions
and conflicts, but rather in building and collaborating”, the Pope
advises. “Be aware that the more intense your communion is, the
more the mission is encouraged. Know how to keep a distance from any
form of ideological or political trend that may lead you to waste
time and your true zeal for the Kingdom of God. The Church, by virtue
of her mission, is not linked to any political system, enabling her
always to be a sign and safeguard of the transcendent nature of the
human person”.
“The bishop is a model for his
priests, and I encourage them always to seek spiritual renewal and to
discover anew the joy of ministering to the flock within the great
family of the Church”, Francis observes. “Before the upcoming
Jubilee of Mercy, I urge first you and then your priests to be
faithful servants of God's forgiveness, especially in the sacrament
of Reconciliation, which allows God's love to be experienced in the
flesh and offers every penitent the source of true inner peace”.
With reference to the task of the
laity, the Pope reminds the bishops that “facilitating the
sacramental life of the faithful and offering them an adequate
continuing formation enables them to fulfil their mission”, and he
expresses his hope that, “encouraged by the example of
distinguished laypersons such as Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez
Santiago, model of commitment and apostolic service, or the venerable
master Rafael Cordero y Molina, they may continue along the path of a
joyful adherence to the Gospel, deepening the social doctrine of the
Church and participating lucidly and serenely in the public debates
regarding the society in which they live”.
The Pope also remarks that one of the
initiatives that must be increasingly consolidated is that of the
pastoral ministry of the family, “afflicted by serious social
problems: the difficult economic situation, migration, domestic
violence, unemployment, drug trafficking and corruption. These are
issues that give rise to concern. Let me to draw your attention to
the value and beauty of marriage. … The differences between man and
women are not of the order of opposition or subordination, but rather
communion and generation, always as the image and semblance of God.
Without mutual commitment, neither of the two will be able to
understand the other in depth. The sacrament of marriage is a sign of
God's love for humanity and Christ's commitment to His Bride, the
Church. Take care of this treasure, as one of the most important of
the Latin American and Caribbean peoples”.
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