PARISHES: BE INSPIRED BY THE FIRST COMMUNITY OF JERUSALEM

VATICAN CITY, SEP 22, 2006 (VIS) - This morning in the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo, the Pope received participants in the 22nd plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, which is presided by Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko. The theme of the gathering is: "The Parish Rediscovered. Paths for Renewal."

  "During my years of service in the Roman Curia, I have had the opportunity of witnessing the growing importance of the Pontifical Council for the Laity within the Church," said the Holy Father. He then went on to mention some of the events promoted by the council which he had presided as pope, such as the 2005 World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, or this year's meeting with ecclesial movements and new communities held in St. Peter's Square on the eve of Pentecost.

  Going on to consider the work of participants in the 22nd plenary assembly, Benedict XVI recalled how, having analyzed "in your last meeting the theological and pastoral nature of the parish community, ... you are now pondering the question from an operational point of view, seeking elements useful towards favoring authentic parish renewal."

  "Indeed," he continued, "theological-pastoral aspects and operational aspects cannot be disassociated from one another if we wish to understand the mystery of communion, of which the parish is called to be an ever greater sign and instrument." He then outlined certain "essential criteria" for "understanding the nature of Christian communion and, therefore, of each parish," referring to the first Christian community of Jerusalem, which was "devoted to listening to the teaching of the Apostles, to fraternal union, to the 'breaking of bread' and to prayer, a welcoming and united community, even to the point of sharing everything they had.

  "The parish can relive this experience, and grow in understanding and fraternal cohesion through prayer ... and listening to the Word of God, especially if it participates with faith in the celebration of the Eucharist presided by a priest. ... The hoped-for renewal of the parish cannot, then, arise only from pastoral initiatives, useful though they are, nor from programs worked out at a theoretical level.

  "Drawing inspiration from the apostolic model," the Pope added, "the parish 'rediscovers' itself in the encounter with Christ. ... Nourished by the Eucharistic bread, it grows in Catholic communion and walks in complete faithfulness to the Magisterium," while "the constant union with Christ gives it the strength to commit itself ... to serving our brothers, especially the poorest for which its often the primary point of reference."

  The Pope concluded his address expressing the hope that the work of the plenary assembly may contribute "to making the lay faithful ever more aware of their mission in the Church, especially within the parish community, which is a 'family' of Christian families."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Antonio Francisco dos Santos, auxiliary of Braga, Portugal, as bishop of Aveiro (area 1,537, population 309,495, Catholics 270,000, priests 108, permanent deacons 28, religious 187), Portugal. He succeeds Bishop Antonio Baltasar Marcelino, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese, the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

 - Three prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Chad, on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Bishop Joachim Kouraleyo Tarounga of Moundou.

    - Bishop Edmond Djitangar of Sarh.

    - Fr. Henry Coudray S.J., apostolic prefect of Mongo.
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IN BRIEF

THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE LAITY is celebrating its 22nd plenary assembly in Rome, from September 21 to 24. During this year's gathering, which is considering the theme of the parish, a report will be delivered presenting a general overview of parish renewal and its future prospects. A number of participants will speak on the specific experiences of lay people and priests, on movements and new communities, and on pastoral plans and grassroots organization for parish renewal.

AT 11.30 A.M. ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, in the Holy See Press Office, a press conference will be held to present the World Congress of Catholic Television, due to be held in Madrid, Spain, from October 10 to 13. Participating in Tuesday's conference will be: Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications; Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., director the Vatican Television Center and speaker at the forthcoming congress; Fr. Jose Maria Gil, executive secretary of the Spanish Episcopal Conference; and Leticia Soberon of the international organizational committee for the congress.
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BUILDING ECCLESIAL COMMUNION IS EVERY BISHOP'S DUTY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2006 (VIS) - This morning in the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo, in a traditional encounter for this time of year, the Pope received a group of recently-appointed bishops who are participating in a meeting in Rome.

  "Following Christ's example," the Pope told them, "each of you, in the daily nurture of your flock, must become 'all things to all men,' presenting the truth of faith, celebrating the sacraments of our sanctification and bearing witness to the Lord's charity. Welcome with an open heart those who knock at your door, advise them, console them and support them on the way of God."

  "Demonstrate this care, in the first place, towards priests. Always act towards them as fathers and elder brothers who know how to listen, accept, comfort and, when necessary, also correct."

  Benedict XVI then went on to remind the bishops that, by virtue of their power to govern, they are called "to judge and discipline the life of the people of God entrusted to their pastoral care, with laws, indications and suggestions, in accordance with what is laid down by the universal discipline of the Church. This right and duty of bishops is absolutely vital in order that the diocesan community may be internally united and progress in profound union of faith, of love and of discipline with the Bishop of Rome and with the entire Church. ... Building ecclesial communion," he said, "must be your daily duty."

  "Serenity in relationships, delicacy in dealings with others and simplicity of life are gifts that without doubt enrich the human personality of a bishop. ... The total giving of self, which the care of the Lord's flock requires, needs the support of an intense spiritual life nourished by assiduous individual and community prayer."

  The Holy Father called on the bishops to ensure that their days be characterized by "a constant contact with God," and explained how "living in intimate union with Christ will help you to strike that vital balance between inner meditation and the exertions required for the multiple occupations of life, avoiding the danger of excessive activism."

  "Following Christ, the Pastor and Bishop of your souls," he concluded, "you will be encouraged to tend tirelessly towards sanctity, which is the fundamental aim of the life of all Christians."
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