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Skriven 2005-12-08 07:05:52 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

ARCHBISHOP DZIWISZ INVITES POPE TO VISIT POLAND

VATICAN CITY, DEC 3, 2005 (VIS) - This morning, the Pope received the second
group of prelates from the Conference of the Polish Episcopate, who have just
completed their "ad limina" visit.

In his address, the Holy Father referred to new evangelization which, he
pointed out, was the theme of one of the first initiatives of his predecessor,
John Paul II. "Under his guidance we entered this new millennium of
Christianity, with an awareness of the constant validity of his call to a new
evangelization."

After stressing the fact that the primary responsibility for evangelization
falls on bishops, the Pope also emphasized their responsibility for the
"quality of formation in seminaries," bearing in mind "not only future priests'
intellectual formation for their impending duties, but also their spiritual and
emotional formation." On this subject, he called on the prelates to implement
the guidelines laid down in the recently-published document of the Congregation
for Catholic Education concerning the admission of candidates to holy orders.

"It is important," he went on, "that the process of spiritual and intellectual
formation does not end with the seminary. Constant priestly formation is
necessary. I know that in Polish dioceses ... courses, retreats, spiritual
exercises and other meetings are organized, during which priests can share
their pastoral problems and successes."

After making it clear that bishops should "listen attentively to priests and
help them in their difficulties," Benedict XVI gave thanks to God for the
numerous vocations in Poland and made a call for priests to be encouraged "to
undertake missionary service or pastoral commitment in countries where there is
a lack of clergy."

"The various charisms, and the services undertaken by male and female religious
and by members of lay institutes of consecrated life, represent a source of
great wealth for the Church," said the Pope. In this context, he called on the
prelates to watch over female religious communities. "Nuns who undertake
various services in the Church merit supreme respect, and their work must be
recognized and appreciated correctly. They must not be denied adequate
spiritual support or the possibility of intellectual development and growth in
the faith. ... And I particularly call upon you to take to heart the wellbeing
of the contemplative orders."

Turning to speak of the laity, the Pope said that "one of the chief aims of the
activity of the laity is the moral renewal of society, which cannot be
superficial, partial and instantaneous. ... One specific task of the laity is
participation in public and political life. ... The Church does not identify
herself with any one party, political community or political system; she does,
however, recall that lay people in public life must bear courageous and
coherent witness to Christian values, which have to be affirmed and defended
when they are threatened. The must do so publicly, both in political debates
and in the communications media"

"Dialogue undertaken by the Catholic laity on political questions," he added,
"will prove effective and of service to the common good when it is founded on
love for truth, a spirit of service, and united commitment in favor of the
common good."

After the Holy Father's address, Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow
pronounced some words of greeting in the name of the assembled prelates: "There
is a reason for which we would like express our gratitude," he said, "and that
is your adherence to the person and the work of Servant of God John Paul II. In
the first place, we would like to say thank you for your discreet, competent
and faithful collaboration throughout such a rich and important pontificate. We
can only imagine how precious your wise advice was to John Paul II, both in the
most difficult theological questions and in matters concerning the daily life
of the Universal Church. We thank you for the delicacy with which you
accompanied your dear predecessor in the final days of his sickness and for
your testimony as dean of the College of Cardinals during the funeral. Nor can
we forget your continuous recollection of the teaching and example of John Paul
II in your speeches and pastoral activities. And how can we not thank you for
the decision to reduce the time for the opening of the cause of beatification
of our beloved Pope? Thank you, Your Holiness!"

The Polish people, Archbishop Dziwisz told the Pope, "are anxious to welcome
you. We all await your visit to our country and to the Church that loves you
and supports you with constant prayer. You may be certain of these sentiments.
As you know, the beloved John Paul II never sought to bind people to his own
person, but to Peter's Successor. Our people unhesitatingly understood this
concept; they do not cease to love the late Pope, but they equally love the one
who succeeded him. I also feel I must inform you that it is above all young
people who ask us to tell Your Holiness that they want to meet you during your
visit to Poland. I would be honored if this meeting were to take place in
Krakow."
AL/.../POLAND VIS 051205 (860)

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