Pope Benedict’s Discourse to Brazilian Bishops at the Ad Limina Visit
(December 05, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI praised the role of the Catholic Church in
Brazil for its dedicated work in instilling Christian Humanism in the current culture.
The two classic places where this humanism is formed and informed are the university
and the school, the Pope affirmed. In fact the Christian view that the school is"
Catholic, "since in it the Gospel principles become educational standards, inner motivations
and ultimate goals, he said. The Pontiff was addressing the Bishops of the Southern
Region 3 and 4 of Brazil, at the Vatican on Saturday, 5th of December during
their Ad Limina visit. Ad Limina visit means the obligation of residential diocesan
bishops of visiting the tombs of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul, and of meeting
the Pope to report on the state of their dioceses. The Holy Father said further that
the Catholic school can not exist separated from other educational institutions. The
church is at the service of society and has a duty to provide public service, public
utility, not reserved only for Catholics but open to all who want to enjoy a qualified
educational program. Referring to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Pope
said "Parents have a right of priority to choose the kind of education to be taught
to their children." At the same time, the Church has always been sympathetic to the
university and its role to lead man to the highest levels of knowledge of truth in
the world in all its aspects. Pope Benedict expressed his deep gratitude to the various
church congregations that exist among them who have founded and supported renowned
universities, but reminded them, that these are not a property of the individuals,
but expression of the Church and of their heritage of faith.