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Skriven 2005-06-27 09:28:42 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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Hello All!

                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
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                               VIS-Press releases

IN PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL, GO FORWARD IN HOPE!

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father welcomed 27 prelates this
morning from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea and the
Solomon Islands and, in his talk to them as they conclude their "ad limina"
visit, encouraged them to be effective instruments of Christ and, "united in
your proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ, go forward in hope!"

The Pope noted that "Jesus Christ continues to draw the peoples of your two
island nations to a still deeper faith and life in Him. ... The recent national
'General Assembly' in Papua New Guinea and the 'Seminar' in the Solomon Islands
have addressed this task. From these two events clear signs of hope have
emerged including the keen participation of the young in the mission of the
Church, the outstanding generosity of missionaries, and the flowering of local
vocations. At the same time you have not hesitated to recognize the
difficulties which continue to afflict your dioceses. ... The faithful look to
you to be courageous witnesses to Christ."

"Priests are and must be a bishop's closest cooperators," underscored Benedict
XVI. "Your interest in their well-being must be of the utmost importance to
you. This special relationship is expressed most effectively through your
assiduous care to uphold the unique identity of your priests, to encourage
their personal sanctification in the ministry, and to foster a deepening of
their pastoral commitment."

The Holy Father stated that "priestly identity must never be likened to any
secular title or confused with civic or political office. Rather, configured to
Christ Who emptied Himself taking the form of a servant, the priest lives a
life of simplicity, chastity and humble service, which inspires others by
example. At the heart of the priesthood is the daily, devout celebration of
Holy Mass. In this Year of the Eucharist I appeal to your priests: be faithful
to this commitment."

Noting that evangelization is one of the bishops' priorities, as is "concern
for the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral development of your
seminarians, as well as men and women religious in training," the Pope
encouraged the bishops "to ensure careful selection of candidates, to supervise
your seminaries personally and to provide regular programmes of ongoing
formation so necessary for deepening priestly and religious identity and
enriching joyful commitment to celibacy. Finally in this regard, I offer my
prayers of deep gratitude for those who serve in seminaries and houses of
formation. Please let them know that the Holy Father thanks them for their
generosity."

Pope Benedict told the bishops that if their catechists' "great zeal" for
evangelization is to succeed, "then the pastoral priorities which you have
identified - especially that of marriage and stable family life - will require
corresponding, appropriate adult catechetical programmes."
AL/.../PAPUA NEW GUINEA:SOLOMON ISLANDSVIS 050627 (470)

SUMMARY

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