Vatican City, 12 November 2015 (VIS) –
This morning the Pope received the bishops of the Episcopal
Conference of Slovakia at the end of their five-yearly “ad Limina”
visit. In the discourse he handed to them at the end of the audience
he encouraged them to consider the phenomenon of migration as an
opportunity for encounter, also recalling that the Church is called
upon to proclaim and bear witness to the welcome of migrants in the
context of observance of the law.
Francis begins his discourse by
referring to the pastoral work of bishops and a situation
characterised by rapid changes in many sectors of human life,
affected also by the phenomenon of globalisation. A situation, he
writes, in which “at times we perceive threats to less populous
nations, but at the same time elements that can offer new
opportunities. One opportunity, which has become a sign of the times,
is the phenomenon of migration, which demands to be understood and
confronted with sensitivity and a sense of justice. The Church is
required to proclaim and bear witness to the welcome of the migrant
in a spirit of charity and respect for the dignity of the human
person, in the context of the necessary observance of the law”.
“Faced with the prospect of an
increasingly extensive multicultural environment, it is necessary to
assume attitudes of mutual respect to promote encounter. It is to be
hoped that the Slovak people will maintain their cultural identity
and heritage of ethical and spiritual values, strongly linked to the
Catholic tradition. In this way they will be able to open up without
fear to exchange on the broadest continental and global horizon,
contributing to a sincere and fruitful dialogue, also on themes of
vital importance such as the dignity of human life and the essential
function of the family. Today, more than ever, it is necessary to
enlighten the path of peoples with Christian principles, seizing the
opportunities that the current situation offers to develop an
evangelisation that, using a new language, makes Christ's message
easier to understand. For this reason it important for the Church to
give hope, so that all the present changes may be transformed into a
renewed encounter with Christ, that guides the people towards
authentic progress”.
The Pope expresses his appreciation for
the prelates' work with families, which face many difficulties, and
reiterates the importance of integral family pastoral ministry at
diocesan and national levels, including “adequate accompaniment for
all families, including those where members are not present,
especially if there are children”. In this regard it is essential
to pay special attention to the young, “the hope of the Church and
of society”.
The paternal care of bishops for the
priests, their main collaborators in pastoral ministry, is another of
the themes considered by Francis, who insists on the need for
“well-structured programmes of continuing formation in the fields
of theology, spirituality, pastoral ministry and social doctrine of
the Church, enabling them to become competent evangelisers”. He
adds, “Indeed, for the majority of the People of God, they are the
principal channel through which the Gospel passes, and also offer the
most immediate image through which the mystery of the Church is
encountered”.
The Church, “sign and tool of the
unity of men with God and with each other, is called upon to be the
house and school of communion, in which one learns to appreciate and
welcome positive qualities in others”, remarks the Holy Father at
the end of his discourse, emphasising that this attitude is also very
useful with reference to the good contact it is necessary to
re-establish in Slovakia between pastors and consecrated persons,
better appreciating the valid contribution of all men and women
religious to pastoral ministry. “At the same time”, he noted,
“the Church in your country must carry forth the pastoral care of
the Rom, through extensive evangelisation that seeks to reach all
these people who, unfortunately, continue to live in some ways
separated from the rest of society”.
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