COLOMBIA: PROCLAIM JUSTICE, TRUTH, FIDELITY AND LOVE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 30, 2004 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received prelates from the ecclesiastic provinces of Bogota, Bucaramanga, Ibague, Nueva Pamplona, Tunja and the recently-erected province of Villavicencio, at the end of their "ad limina" visit. 

  The Pope said that the bishops rely on "certain decisive factors in order to carry out the work of evangelization, such as the growing number of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, the widespread presence of religious institutions, and the existence of many centers of study and formation. All of this shows the depth of the Christian faith in the country and the dynamism of the apostolic commitment."

  Referring to "the increase in moral deterioration," as the Colombian prelates had highlighted in their talks, the Holy Father said this is "present in many different forms and affects the most varied areas of personal, family and social life, thereby undermining the intrinsic importance of moral conduct and putting the authenticity of faith in serious danger. … It is a phenomenon which is a result, in part, of ideologies that deny human beings the capacity to clearly know what is right and to put it into practice. … It is a challenge of great importance that implies distinct lines of pastoral action with Jesus a role model."

  "Proclaiming justice, truth, fidelity and love of one's neighbor, in all their specific implications," he assured them, "is inherent to announcing the Gospel in its entirety. … This teaching, complete and in full agreement with the moral doctrine of the Church, will be much more fruitful if it is united with personal example, constant unity with the faithful  and tireless courage."

  "Assuming one's own obligations is a necessary requirement for affirming the true dignity of the person, which generates interior peace and then extends to one's surroundings, especially to institutions, when they are founded on an authentic spirit of service for the common good, and when they are administered with the criteria of equality, justice, honesty and truth."

  John Paul II went on: "The need for organized Christian initiation, tailored to the cultural conditions of our times and to each place, … is a priority, especially where the social climate does not promote the faith or where the channels of transmission or development - such as the family, school and the Christian community itself - break down."

  Before concluding, the Holy Father encouraged the bishops in the face of the "difficult situation that Colombia is facing," due to the continuous "attacks on life, freedom and the dignity of persons," as well as an increase in the number of kidnappings that "shows, once again, the perversion which human baseness can reach when the moral perspective is lost in the interests of evil and when the most fundamental rights of man are not respected.  In Colombia, many of these evils find their origin in drug trafficking, with ramifications in many sectors and which has afflicted the nation for years and had numerous negative consequences in all spheres of society."

  "In light of these facts," he concluded, "I share your pain and I appreciate all your efforts to stop violence, eliminate the causes and minimize its effects, while paying attention to the victims and tirelessly encouraging those who want to abandon the language of arms in order to take up the path of peaceful dialogue."
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