Text 951, 42 rader
Skriven 2006-01-18 21:45:22 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
===================================================
Hello All!

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

POPE THANKS "SEDIARI PONTIFICI" FOR THEIR WORK

VATICAN CITY, JAN 13, 2006 (VIS) - Benedict XVI today received the "sediari
pontifici" or pontifical seat bearers, the body of men once charged with the
duty of bearing the Pope's "sedia gestatoria," and who now carry out functions
of protocol in the Pontifical Household.

"Yours is an ancient task," the Pope told them, "which over the course of the
centuries has evolved in different ways depending upon the customs and needs of
the times," but has always remained "linked with the See of Peter."

"Your work, then, is part of a context wherein everything must speak to the
whole world of the Church of Christ, and must do so coherently, imitating Him
Who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for
many.' It is in this light that the recent reforms put into effect by my
predecessors must be seen, particularly by Pope Paul VI to whom it fell to
implement the new requisites of the Council. Ceremonies were simplified,
bringing them back to a greater sobriety more in keeping with the Christian
message and the needs of the times."

The Pope thanked the "sediari" for their contribution to the smooth functioning
of pontifical audiences and celebrations, adding that "diligence, courtesy and
discretion must be the characteristics that distinguish you in your work."

"My wish, dear friends," he concluded, "is that you may always be - both in the
Vatican and at home, in the parish and in all situations - helpful and
attentive to others. This is a precious lesson for your children and
grandchildren, who will learn from your example how service to the Holy See
means, above all, a Christian mentality and lifestyle."
AC/.../SEDIARI PONTIFICI VIS 060113 (300)

SUMMARY

--- MPost/386 v1.21
 * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS New Orleans 1-504-897-6006 USR 33.6k (1:396/45)