English, Welsh bishops urge re-commitment a year after Pope’s visit

(September 19, 2011) Bishops from England and Wales have called on all Catholics to be confident, faithful and courageous in playing a full part in building a better future for all in their country, especially during these difficult times of economic and social turbulence. They recalled that Pope Benedict during his visit a year ago helped many to recognise that “faith is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be discovered afresh”. Reflecting on the Pope’s call for all to discover the definite service that God calls all Christians to give, the Bishops have set out their priorities for the Church over the next five years. The bishops reminded their faithful of the wonderful of Pope Benedict to be gentle but also confident in manifesting the ‘beauty of holiness’... faithful in proclaiming the ‘splendour of truth’... courageous in testifying to ‘the joy and freedom born of a living relationship with Christ’.” Following the re-introduction of Friday abstinence, the Bishops called on all Catholics to witness publicly to their faith with renewed confidence and to assist in all of their activities to work together for the good of the community at large.