Pope Benedict Speaks to Britain

Excerpts from Pope Benedict XVI’s address to the bishops of England and Wales at the end of their Ad Limina Visit February 2010:

Renewal and evangelisation
“Even amid the pressures of a secular age, there are many signs of living faith and devotion among the Catholics of England and Wales…On the occasion of my forthcoming Apostolic Visit to Great Britain, I shall be able to witness that faith for myself and, as Successor of Peter, to strengthen and confirm it…be sure to encourage the Catholics of England and Wales in their devotion, and assure them that the Pope constantly remembers them in his prayers and holds them in his heart”.
Offering Truth and Freedom
“Your country is well known for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society. Yet as you have rightly pointed out, the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs. In some respects it actually violates the natural law upon which the equality of all human beings is grounded and by which it is guaranteed […] Fidelity to the Gospel in no way restricts the freedom of others – on the contrary, it serves their freedom by offering them the truth”.
Right to be heard
“Continue to insist upon your right to participate in national debate through respectful dialogue with other elements in society. In doing so, you are not only maintaining long-standing British traditions of freedom of expression and honest exchange of opinion, but you are actually giving voice to the convictions of many people who lack the means to express them: when so many of the population claim to be Christian, how could anyone dispute the Gospel’s right to be heard?”
Communicating Unity
“If the full saving message of Christ is to be presented effectively and convincingly to the world, the Catholic community in your country needs to speak with a united voice”.
Dissent and Newman’s Kindly Light
“In a social milieu that encourages the expression of a variety of opinions on every question that arises, it is important to recognize dissent for what it is, and not to mistake it for a mature contribution to a balanced and wide-ranging debate. It is the truth revealed through Scripture and Tradition and articulated by the Church’s Magisterium that sets us free. Cardinal Newman realized this, and he left us an outstanding example of faithfulness to revealed truth by following that “kindly light” wherever it led him, even at considerable personal cost”.
Hear more on how Pope Benedict XVI’s words were received by the bishops and how they intend to put his words into action: