Pope On Panama

(19 Sept 08 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI today received the bishops of Panama, who are in Rome for their ad limina visits.


The southernmost country of Central America, Panama gained independence from the Spanish Empire in the first half of the 19^th century, and broke away from Colombia with the connivance of the United States during the early years of the 20^th.


In remarks to the bishops gathered in audience with the Holy Father at Castel Gandolfo on Friday, Pope Benedict XVI said the Church in Panama has always been a point of reference for Panamanian society, starting from the time of the earlist missionaries who brought the gospel to Panamanian shores.


The pope called on the bishops to continue their service to Panamanian society, by providing sound formation in the faith for priests and laity.


The Holy Father also encouraged the bishops to continue their efforts to build consensus regarding the truths about the human person that are at the basis of every healthy society: the family based on marriage and openness to life, and respect for life from conception to natural death.


Pope Benedict said the teaching of the social doctrine of the Church is of the first order of importance for the future of Panama.


In the midst of such challenges as poverty, juvenile violence, lack of adequate education, and political corruption, all of which beset the people of Panama, said Pope Benedict, Christian hope can illuminate Panamanian society, which thirsts for the truth about God.