Pope Benedict XVI’s Discourse to the Bishops of Sudan

(March 13, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI expressed his deep appreciation to the Church of Sudan for their patient and sustained work towards the restoration of peace and the avoidance of War. However, the Pontiff added: “If peace is to plant deep roots, concrete efforts must be made to diminish the factors contributing to unrest, particularly corruption, ethnic tensions, indifference and selfishness.” The Pope was addressing the Bishops of Sudan on Saturday, 13^th of March at the end of their Ad Limina Visit. An ad limina visit means the obligation of residential diocesan bishops of visiting the thresholds of 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 called on the Bishops to draw strength from their recent experience at the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops as they continue to preach reconciliation and forgiveness. The effects of violence may take many years to heal he said, yet the change of heart which is the indispensable condition for a just and lasting peace must even now be implored as a gift of God’s grace. He added that as heralds of the Gospel, they have sought to instil in the people and in society a sense of responsibility towards present and future generations, encouraging forgiveness, mutual acceptance and respect. As a significant part of this witness, the Pope said: “I encourage you to dedicate your energy to strengthening Catholic education, and thus preparing lay people in particular to bear convincing witness to Christ in every aspect of family, social and political life.” Finally, Pope Benedict expressed his appreciation for their efforts to maintain good relations with the followers of Islam with genuine interreligious respect and understanding and invited them to maintain the same openness and love towards people belonging to the traditional religions.