Pope Tells Peruvian Bishops not to Ignore Society's Marginalised

(18 May 09 - RV)Pope Benedict on Monday met with bishops from Peru, who are in Rome on their ad limina visit.Peru is a South American country of nearly 30 million people. Over 80% of the population is Catholic.


The Bishops of the country are in Rome on their ad limina visits. As he has with other Latin American bishops visiting Rome, Pope Benedict spoke about the building up of the city of God.


He said it was the duty of the bishop to read the “signs of the times”, so they can translate the Gospel Message concretely into the lives of their people.


Pope Benedict reminded the bishops of what was said at the 5^th General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean: The Church always has the spirit of Evangelism. He said the continental mission is to have each one of the faithful aspire to holiness in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, and then conforming oneself to the values of the Gospel.


He urged the bishops to help the Christians of their diocese radiate the light of Christ, particularly to those less fortunate, who may feel little valued or who have not had their spiritual and material needs met.


The Pope made special mention of those Peruvians who are unemployed, who lack adequate sanitation and educational opportunities – often they live in the slums and suburbs of large cities. He spoke of those who have fallen victim to drug addiction or violence.


He told the bishops that these people cannot be ignored – and that the charity of Christ compels us to come to their aid.


He told them the grace of Christ will strengthen them when they are besieged by discouragement.


After meeting with the Pope, the bishops were scheduled to travel across the city to concelebrate Mass at the tomb of St. Paul, at the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.