November 17, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI received a group of French bishops, in the Consistory
Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, on Saturday morning. The bishops are in Rome
for their ad limina visits. In his remarks to the prelates from the Episcopal Conference
of France, the Pontiff focused on the opportunities presented by the Year of Faith
to help the Church in France on the path of real spiritual renewal, and contribute
to a recovery of the perennial foundations of ordered liberty in society.
“Your
nation has a long and rich Christian history that cannot be ignored or diminished,”
said Pope Benedict.
“In the important debates in society,” said the Holy Father,
“the voice of the Church must make itself heard tirelessly and with determination,”
even as She continues to be respectful of the country’s tradition of distinguishing
the spheres of competence of the Church and those of the State.
The Holy Father
also spoke of the pressing need to encourage careful and reverent liturgical practice,
as a key to faith formation and effective evangelization.