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Skriven 2006-06-26 22:50:22 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
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                               VIS-Press releases

GOSPEL RENOVATES SOCIETY WITH THE LAW OF LOVE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father received
prelates from the episcopal conferences of the Baltic States - Latvia,
Lithuania and Estonia - who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

At the beginning of his address to them, the Pope referred to the subject of
the family, pointing our how "alongside exemplary family groups there are,
unfortunately, those marked by the fragility of conjugal ties, by the scourge
of abortion and the demographic crisis, by the scant care with which they
transmit authentic values to children, by job insecurity, by social mobility
weakening ties between the generations and by a growing sense of disorientation
among young people.

"Modernity," he added, "when not rooted in real values is destined to be
dominated by the tyranny of instability and confusion. For this reason, each
ecclesial community ... is called to be a point of reference and to maintain a
dialogue with the surrounding society."

The Holy Father encouraged the bishops never to tire "of being courageous
defenders of life and the family," and to continue in "the human and religious
formation of engaged couples and of young families. This is a most worthy
undertaking which, I trust, is also appreciated and supported by the
institutions of civil society."

After calling on the prelates to live in communion with one another and with
Peter's Successor, the Pope encouraged them to give spiritual "and if necessary
material" support to priests. He also urged them to turn their attention to
priests' "constant formation, thanks also to courses of aggiornamento that help
them to acquire a more profound understanding of the teachings of Vatican
Council II and to evaluate the wealth contained in liturgical texts and in
Church documents, translated into your respective languages."

In order to face the difficulties young people encounter in answering the call
of Christ - the consequence, said Benedict XVI, of a "secularized mentality" -
careful "youth and vocational pastoral care must be promoted. ... As for
seminaries, ensure the presence of formators gifted with real humanity and
profound piety, open to dialogue and collaboration; professors faithful to the
teaching of the Magisterium and credible witnesses of the Gospel."

"While the wounds communism inflicted on your people are not yet completely
healed, secularism is exercising a growing influence, exalting the illusion of
consumerism and rendering human beings the measure of themselves. All this
makes your pastoral work even more difficult. But, without losing faith,
continue tirelessly in announcing the Gospel of Christ, the word of salvation
for mankind of all times and cultures."

The Pope concluded his address by highlighting how the Gospel "does not hinder
man's freedom and true social progress; on the contrary, it helps human beings
to full self-realization and renovates society through the sweet and demanding
law of love."
AL/.../BALTIC STATES VIS 060623 (480)

SUMMARY

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 * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)