Pope Benedict XVI speaks to the Brazilian Bishops at the Ad Limina Visit

(September 17, 2009) “The deepening harmony, correct and congenial relationship between common and ministerial priesthood is currently one of the finer points of being and life of the Church,” said Pope Benedict XVI. “The role of the priest is irreplaceable and essential to the proclamation of the Word and the celebration of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the memorial of the supreme sacrifice of Christ, who gives us his Body and his Blood,” he added. He was addressing the group of Bishops from Brazi, on Thursday, 17^th of September, on the occasion of their Ad Limina visit. An ad limina visit means the obligation of residential diocesan bishops and prelates with territorial jurisdiction of visiting the tombs of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul every five years, and of meeting the Pope to report on the state of their dioceses. The Pontiff said that “in the essential diversity between the ministerial and common priesthood there is the specific identity of ordained and lay faithful.” He admonished them saying that the priests should stay away from a personal engagement in politics in order to foster the unity and fellowship of all believers and so can be a reference for all. At the same time the faithful should strive to express in reality, including through political commitment, the anthropological and the Christian doctrine of the Church. In the present situation in which they have to organize the church life with fewer priests, the Pope called on them to concentrate on new and good vocations and prepare the pastors that are indispensable to their dioceses. In this year dedicated to the priests the Holy Father called on them to follow the example of the Curé d'Ars, who called the faithful to unite their lives to the sacrifice of Christ. The he called on the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for all God's people in Brazil, so that pastors and faithful can, with courage and joy, "openly speak on the mystery of the Gospel." Finally the Holy Father imparted his Apostolic Blessing.