Pope Benedict Addresses Bishops from Antilles Region
(07 Apr 08 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI met with the bishops from the Antilles, which
comprises the French, English and Dutch speaking parts of the Caribbean. We have
this report...
Discourse
of Pope Benedict XVI
Dear Brother Bishops,
“What we preach is not ourselves,
but Jesus Christ as Lord with ourselves as servants” (2 Cor 4:5). With these stirring
words of Saint Paul I cordially welcome you, the Bishops of the Antilles. I thank
Archbishop Burke for the kind sentiments expressed on your behalf and I warmly reciprocate
them and assure you of my prayers for yourselves and those entrusted to your pastoral
care. Your visit ad Limina Apostolorum is an occasion to strengthen your commitment
to make the face of Jesus increasingly visible within the Church and society through
consistent witness to the Gospel.
The great ‘drama’ of Holy Week and the
joyful liturgical season of Easter express the very essence of the hope which defines
us as Christians. Jesus, who indicates to us the way beyond even death, is the one
who shows us how to overcome trials and fear. He is the true teacher of life (cf.
Spe Salvi, 6). Indeed, filled with the light of Christ we too illuminate the way
which dispels all evil, casts out hatred, brings us peace and humbles earthly pride
(cf. Exsultet).
The image of the paschal light I trust, dear Brothers,
will draw you forward as you engage with the considerable challenges you face. Your
own reports articulate with frankness both the light and the shadows cast upon your
Dioceses. Undoubtedly the religious soul of the peoples of your region is capable
of great things! Generosity of heart and openness of mind attest to a spirit willing
to be shaped by the truth and love of our Lord. Yet there is also much that seeks
to quench the dimly burning wick (cf. Is 42:3). To varying degrees, your shores have
been battered by negative aspects of the entertainment industry, exploitative tourism
and the scourge of the arms and drugs trade; influences which not only undermine family
life and unsettle the foundations of traditional cultural values, but tend to affect
negatively local politics.
Brothers, against this disturbing backdrop,
stand tall as heralds of hope! Be audacious witnesses to the light of Christ, which
gives families direction and purpose, and be bold preachers of the power of the Gospel,
which must permeate their way of thinking, standards of judgement, and norms of behaviour.
I am confident that your lived testimony to God’s extraordinary “yes” to humanity
(cf. 2 Cor 1:20) will encourage your peoples to reject destructive social trends and
to seek ‘faith in action’, embracing all that begets the new life of Pentecost!
Pastoral
renewal is an indispensable task for each of your Dioceses. Already there are examples
where this challenge has been embraced with enthusiasm; it must include priests, Religious
and the lay faithful. Of vital importance is the tireless promotion of vocations
together with the guidance and ongoing formation of priests. You are the primary
formators of your priests and, supported by the laity, you bear the responsibility
for assiduous and prudent encouragement of vocations. Your solicitude for the human,
spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation of your seminarians and priests is
a sure expression of your care and concern for the constant deepening of their pastoral
commitment (cf. Pastores Dabo Vobis, 2). I encourage you to support attentively Saint
John Vianney and the Ugandan Martyrs Seminary, to supervise in a fatherly way especially
your young priests and to offer regular programmes of ongoing formation necessary
for building priestly identity (cf. ibid., 71). In turn, your priests will surely
nurture their parish communities with growing maturity and spiritual wisdom. The
establishment of a francophone seminary in the region is a welcome sign of hope; please
convey to its staff and seminarians the assurance of my prayers.
The contribution
of Religious Brothers, Priests and Sisters to the mission of the Church and the building
up of civil society has been of immeasurable worth to your countries. Innumerable
boys, girls and families have benefited from the selfless commitment of Religious
to spiritual guidance, education, and social and medical work. Of special value and
beauty is the life of prayer found in the contemplative communities of the region.
Your pastoral concern for the decline in Religious vocations exemplifies your deep
appreciation of consecrated life. I too appeal to your Religious communities, encouraging
them to reaffirm their calling with confidence and, guided by the Holy Spirit, to
propose afresh to young people the ideal of consecration and mission; the spiritual
treasures of their respective charisms splendidly illuminate the paths by which the
Lord calls young people to the adventure of the life of love offered to him for every
member of the human family (cf. Vita Consecrata, 3).
Chers Frères, chacun
d’entre vous ressent la grande responsabilité qui est la sienne de faire tout ce qui
est possible afin de soutenir le mariage et la vie familiale, source première de cohésion
à l’intérieur des communautés et donc d’une importance capitale aux yeux des autorités
civiles. À cet égard, le large réseau d’écoles catholiques dans toute votre région
peut apporter beaucoup. Les valeurs qui s’enracinent dans le chemin de vérité offert
par le Christ éclairent l’esprit et le cœur des jeunes et les entraînent à suivre
la voie de la fidélité, de la responsabilité et de la liberté véritable. De bons jeunes
chrétiens font de bons citoyens! Je suis sûr que tout sera fait pour encourager la
spécificité catholique de vos écoles qui, au long des générations passées, ont rendu
des services remarquables à vos peuples. De cette manière, je ne doute pas que les
jeunes adultes de vos diocèses sauront discerner qu’il leur revient, de manière urgente,
de contribuer au développement économique et social de la région, car il s’agit là
d’une dimension essentielle de leur témoignage chrétien.
With fraternal
affection I offer these reflections wishing to affirm you in your desire to intensify
the summons to witness and evangelization which ensue from the encounter with Christ.
United in your proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ, go forward in hope!
Please assure all your seminarians and priests, Religious, and lay faithful - including
in a special way the considerable immigrant communities - of my prayers and spiritual
communion. To you all, I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing.