Pope Benedict XVI Address to the Bishops of Belarus during ad Limina Visit

(December 17, 2009) “I appreciate the zeal with which you carry out your pastoral ministry, with greater commitment to grow and share your co-responsibility, fellowship and decisions, so that your service is always fruitful and effective,” said Pope Benedict XVI. He was addressing the Bishops of Belarus in Rome on Thursday, 17^th of December during their Ad Limina visit. An 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. He expressed the challenges they face daily, namely, secularism, hedonism and relativism: the problems of falling birth rate, the fragility of families and illusion to find fortune outside of their homeland. Hence the Holy Father told them that “Faced with these challenges, the urgent task of pastors is to highlight the power of faith, a faith rooted in a strong tradition, to help preserve the profound Christian identity of the nation, in respectful dialogue with other cultures and religions.” The Pontiff also emphasized the need for special attention to be shown in the pastoral and the educational dimension. He told them to step up efforts to offer in the first place to the younger generation, a sound education. He said “I encourage you, therefore, to continue in your commitment, ensuring that proper catechesis marked the path of faith in all stages of life, and that there are occasions, intra-and extra-ecclesial, to achieve, under your guidance, the message of Christ in every area of the flock entrusted to your care.” Further he called on them to have friendly collaboration with the Orthodox Church of Belarus, whose pastors share with them the growth and commitment for the good of the faithful. Even the Orthodox Churches, as the Catholic Church, are strongly committed to consider how to respond to the challenges of our time to transmit faithfully the message of Christ, the Pontiff said.