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Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

BISHOPS OF TOGO: PASTORAL CARE OF FAMILIES AND FORMATION

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2007 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, the Pope
received prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Togo, who have just completed
their "ad limina" visit.

The Holy Father began his address to the bishops by thanking them for "your
perseverance and courage in the face of the numerous difficulties your country
has had to face over past years. On many occasions," he told them, "you have
contributed to dialogue for national reconciliation, reminding everyone of the
requirements of the common good, in faithfulness to the truth of God and of
humanity. I ask the Lord to render your efforts fruitful that your country may
enjoy a prosperous life in harmony and fraternity."

After highlighting the African prelates' commitment "to protecting and
respecting life," Benedict XVI explained that "the promotion of the truth and
dignity of marriage, and the defense of essential family values, must be one of
your major priorities. The pastoral care of families is an essential element of
evangelization that brings young people to discover the meaning of a unique and
faithful commitment." In this context, he exhorted the bishops "to pay
particular attention to the formation of couples and families."

The Pope also encouraged them "to continue in efforts to promote Catholic
schools, which are places of integral education at the service of families and
of the transmission of the faith. Despite the difficulties they may encounter,
the schools' role is essential to ensure that young people receive a solid
human, cultural and religious formation. May the educators and professors
themselves," he exclaimed, "be models of Christian life for the young!"

Going on to refer to the urgent need for evangelization, the Holy Father
recalled the work of catechists and other pastoral care operatives.
"Inculturation of the evangelical message and faithfulness to the doctrine of
the Church," he said, "contribute to the effective foundation of the faith
among your people, allowing them to welcome the figure of Jesus Christ into all
dimensions of their lives. ... While respecting the rich traditions that are a
living expression of your people's soul, Christians must decisively reject
anything that runs counter to the liberating message of Christ and entraps and
alienates mankind and society."

Benedict XVI also stressed the importance of the formation of priests,
consecrated people and the laity, so as to help them "face the difficult
situations with which they are confronted and transmit the contents of the
faith through the witness of their lives, upheld by strong personal
convictions. Such formation must help the lay faithful to acquire skills that
enable them to commit themselves to social life and to working towards the
common good. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church is a valuable
instrument for the formation of everyone and particularly of the laity."

At the end of his address, the Holy Father referred to the need "to pursue and
develop the cordial relations that exist with Muslims in Togo. Such relations,
he concluded, "are indispensable for ensuring concord and harmony among all
citizens, and for promoting the shared values of humanity."
AL/.../TOGOVIS 070622 (530)

SUMMARY

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