(November 15, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday met a group of Brazilian bishops
and urged their Catholics be points of reference in their society. The bishops from
Brazil’s centre-west region are in Rome on their so-called ‘ad limina’ visit, which
heads of dioceses are required to make every 5 years or so to report on the state
of their jurisdiction. The Pope said that bishops are expected to orientate the
people’s conscience in order to find just solutions to the new problems that arise
from social and cultural changes. Pointing to the role of bishops’ conferences the
Holy Father underscored the importance of communion between bishops and the Pope,
just as between pastors and the faithful. In today’s secularized society, the Pope
said, there is a need for a renewed witness to the Gospel on the part of Christians,
and the importance of an evangelizing action of the Church in the creation of a Brazilian
identity. The Brazilian bishops’ conference is preparing to mark its 60th
anniversary soon and the Pope stressed that it be a point of reference for the Brazilian
society. And the first witness that is expected of those who announce the Word of
God is reciprocal love. The Pope also pointed to other issues that are particularly
delicate, such as the promotion and protection of faith and morals, the care of vocations,
ecumenism, the defence of human life, the sacredness of the family, the right of parents
to educate their children, human rights as well as religious freedom, peace and social
justice.