Pope: Church Works for Common Good, Respects Freedom of Conscience
(24 Apr 10 – RV) Pope Benedict XVI today received the new ambassador from Belgium
to the Holy See, Charles Ghislain. In his address to the European nation, Pope Benedict
underlined that “The Church works for the common good and wants to have the opportunity
to bring its message to humanity, in respect for freedom of conscience”.
There are
over seven million Catholics in Belgium, about three quarters of the total population,
spread across eight diocese. However, recent pew figures show an annual decline in
Church attendance and vocations to religious life. This despite it being home to
one of the worlds most famous and ancient Catholic universities, Leuven.
On
Saturday the Pope spoke of his conviction that despite these social changes which
have taken place in Belgium, Christianity is still an important foundation for the
nation, and the Gospel principles of brotherhood and solidarity have much to offer
the country’s growth.
Pope Benedict described life and human dignity as precious
assets and spoke of their fragility, referring two recent disasters in Belgium: the
collapse of a building in Liège, in late January, and an rail accident in Buizingen
in March.
These catastrophes - said the pope – “measure the fragility 'of
human existence and the need to protect it”, for an ''authentic social cohesion”
and “respect in diversity”.
Finally, Benedict XVI took the opportunity
to greet the new archbishop of Brussels, Mons. Leonard, and expressed his appreciation
for the whole work of the Church in Belgium.