EL SALVADOR: THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY MUST BE BUILT ON PEACE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 23, 2001 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received the prelates of the Episcopal Conference of El Salvador, at the conclusion of their "ad limina" visit.

The Pope began his discourse speaking of peace and justice: "You well know," he said to the bishops, "that the future of the country must be built on peace, the fruit of which is justice. ... Help to build a society which favors agreement, harmony and respect for the person and for his fundamental rights. With your word, courageous and timely, and keeping in mind the needs of the common good, you must encourage everyone, beginning with those responsible for the political, administrative and judicial life of the nation, to promote better living and working conditions."

After emphasizing "the diligence, the moral force and the spirit of sacrifice of Salvadorians in the face of adversity," which was fully revealed after hurricane Mitch, and the earthquakes which struck the country this year, the Holy Father said that even though "external assistance is necessary," Salvadorians "must be the protagonists and the principle craftsmen of the reconstruction of the country."

"To give new impulse and vigor to evangelization," the Pope continued, "must be the primary objective of your pastoral work. ... The means of social communication used today must be used also to evangelize and catechize. ... I encourage you, then, to develop these means in order to place them at the service of spreading the Gospel."

The Pope affirmed that the bishops must encourage priests, their "direct collaborators," to "be men of regular and frequent prayer" and to be close to them "in order that they see you as authentic fathers and teachers. ... Offer them the best means to continue their formation and develop the virtues necessary to their mission, to confront with serenity and courage the difficulties that can arise."

Following this, John Paul II emphasized the need to promote the practice of Sunday Mass, "because in the process of strengthening the faith, the Eucharist is the privileged moment for encounter with the living Jesus Christ."

"One of the urgent necessities of our time, as I highlighted in the Apostolic Letter 'Novo Millennio Ineunte'," the Pope continued, "is attention to the family," in the face of the "serious dangers that currently threaten it: the breakdown of the matrimonial bond, the scourge of abortion, the contraception mentality, moral corruption, infidelity and domestic violence, factors which endanger the family, the fundamental unit of society and the Church." The Holy Father expressed his hope that youth who enter into marriage and families as well would receive a good formation "in order that they overcome the pressures of a culture contrary to marriage and the familial institution."

The Holy Father concluded his discourse by exhorting the Salvadorian prelates to "intensify efforts in the formation of an adult laity, who collaborate actively in the life and mission of the Church" and to help the youth "who in their situation are more easily exposed to the dangers and seductions of easy and illusive paths. Present to them, in all of their authenticity and richness, the great ideals of the Christian life and spirituality, in order that they may learn the values and norms of conduct most adapted to confronting the challenges of the present."

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