Pope welcomes Brazil’s new ambassador

(October 31, 2011) In order to foster a healthy secularism, the state must not relegate religion to the private sphere but must recognize its essential contribution in the ethical growth of society through openness to the transcendent and formation of consciences. Pope Benedict XVI made this observation on Monday when he welcomed in the Vatican Brazil’s new ambassador to the Holy See, Almir Franco de Sá Barbuda. Pope Benedict noted that since the first Holy Mass celebrated on Brazilian soil on April 26, 1500, the character of the South American nation has been largely forged by its faith. This is evident not merely in its cities, saints and religious monuments, but more in its spirit of generosity, hard work, appreciation of family values and defence of human life in all its phases. The Pope noted that the 2008 agreement between the Holy See and Brazil legally recognized the independence and collaboration between the church and state, where the role of religion is recognized as necessary for the formation of the person. Expressing satisfaction over a healthy church-state relationship in Brazil, the Pope said a healthy secularism should not consider religion as a mere individual feeling to be relegated to the private sphere, but as a reality whose presence needs to be recognized publicly by the community. Hence it is the state’s duty to guarantee the free exercise of worship to a religious denomination, as well as to its cultural, educational and charitable works, as long as they don’t go against morals and public order. Pope Benedict said that the Church's contribution is not limited to concrete charity and humanitarian and educational works but above all, in the ethical growth of society, driven by the multiple manifestations of openness to the transcendent and through the formation of consciences sensitive to fulfil the duties of solidarity. Hence the role of Brazil’s Catholic educational institutions that are highly regarded, is not concerned merely in imparting knowledge and skills for professional formation, but rather encompasses all aspects of the person from its social aspect to the longing for transcendence.