Discourse of Pope Benedict XVI at the Ad Limina visit of the Brazil Bishops

(September 25, 2010) In his discourse Pope Benedict XVI said that the core of the spiritual crisis of our time has its roots in the non recognition of the grace of forgiveness. When this is not recognized as real and effective, it tends to release the person's guilt, making the conditions for their total acceptance of life more difficult. The Pontiff was addressing the Bishops of Brazil from the provinces of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi, at his Summer Residence of Castel Gandolfo, outside of Rome on Saturday 25^th of September during the Ad Limina visit. The visit ad Limina means the obligation incumbent Bishop of a Diocese of visiting, at stated times, the thresholds of the Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul, and of presenting themselves before the pope to give an account of the state of their dioceses. The Pontiff said further that people themselves are aware in their hearts, that sin exists and that they themselves are sinners but have great difficulty in admitting the senses of guilt within them. In fact Jesus came to save, not those already liberated but sinners and those who need Him, he said. Stressing the need of God in our lives, the one who has created us in his image and likeness, the Pope said that we need forgiveness that is at the heart of all true Christian reform in order to rebuild our personal life and make it the centre of community renewal. The Pontiff then said that as purification takes place in the lives of people, the situation for them becomes more joyful. This joy should be reflected increasingly in the Church, infecting the world particularly the young, because it is the world's youth who are the destiny of tomorrow. It is the attainment of that purification which enables us to learn the true meaning of being human, namely to be in company with God, said the Holy Father.