Pope meets 2^nd group of Colombian bishops on ‘ad limina’ visit

(September 10, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday lamented that despite some signs of hope in Colombia, violence still continued to bring pain, loneliness, death and injustice to the people. He was speaking to 37 bishops from Colombia, the second batch from the South American nation 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. Meeting them at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, the Holy Father acknowledged that the bishops often have to work in places full of difficulties and dangers, but he encouraged them to continue working to protect human life, promote the culture of peace, and to spread the Gospel of reconciliation that can transform hatred into pardon, and rivalry into brotherhood. Among other issues, the Pope encouraged the Colombian bishops to fight “the devastating effects of a growing secularization'', by making the defence and promotion of the family one of their pastoral priorities. He urged the prelates to take care of the spiritual, intellectual and material welfare of their priests, deacons and religious,'' so that they can fruitfully live their ministries. During Sunday’s midday ‘Angelus’ at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict had voiced his support for peace talks between the government and rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) re-starting next month.