Pope meets Dutch bishops

December 02, 2013 - Pope Francis on Monday met bishops from the Netherlands on their ‘Ad Limina’ visit to Rome which heads of dioceses are required to make every 5 years or so to report on the state of their jurisdiction. Meeting the bishops of the largely secularized society, the Pope addressed several issues, such as the primacy of man, educating the conscience, participating in public debates, tangible acts of God’s mercy and love, catechism for the young, a vigorous pastoral plan for vocations and prayer life. The Pope urged the bishops to reaffirm the primacy of man which is based on the openness to the transcendent, which when suppressed impoverishes culture. Hence the Church proposes immutable moral truths and counters currents that go against them for the good of man and for social development. The Pope thus urged for a sound education of the conscience with a positive outlook on social realities, avoiding superficiality and indifference. In this regard the pope called on all, especially the laity, to be disciples and missionaries wherever they are. Pope Francis urged the Dutch Church to be present in public debates in all spheres concerning man, to make visible the mercy of God and his tenderness for all creatures. He reminded the bishops that the Church grows not because of proselytism but by attraction, hence the need to awaken, reawaken and maintain hope. Hence he spoke about the importance of encouraging the faithful to make use of every occasion to dialogue, making themselves felt in places where the future is decided. They can contribute in debates on great social questions, such the family, marriage and the end of life. The Pope reminded the Dutch bishops that in their rich society there are also a growing number of poor and marginalized who need the light and compassion of Christ. The Pope also called for the formation of the young for them to be able to have a personal encounter with Christ. Finally, Pope Francis urged a vigorous pastoral plan for vocations, including a search for a plan for the human and spiritual maturity of seminarians. In this regard he underscored the need of prayer in various forms, especially adoration. With regard to the sex abuse scandal by the clergy in Holland, Pope Francis expressed his closeness with the victims. "I wish to express my compassion and to ensure my closeness in prayer to every victim of sexual abuse, and to their families; I ask you to continue to support them along the painful path of healing, that they have undertaken with courage,” Pope Francis exhorted the Dutch bishops.