Pope Benedict Meets Bishops from Honduras

(26 Jun 08 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday met with the bishops of Honduras, who are in Rome on their ad limina visits. We have this report...
The Holy Father was speaking to the bishops of the country, who are in Rome on their ad limina visit.

The country, while still majority Catholic, has seen a steady increase in the percentage of Evangelicals, Mormons, and other religious groups in the last 20 years.

Pope Benedict said the country has a deep religious spirit, and that the numerous popular devotions in the country, if properly purified, are a strong tool for the announcement of the Gospel.

He urged the bishops to work through the enormous difficulties in their pastoral mission, and promote the work of evangelization.

He said one of the main worries in the country is the lack of priests, despite a recent increase in vocations. He told them to set aside the proper resources for the proper formation of clergy, and to make the promotion of priestly vocations a priority in the formation of pastoral plans at both the diocesan and parish level.

He also urged the proper formation of Catholic laypeople, so they can live their life in society carrying on the mission of Christ. He said their Christian witness will attract those who have fallen away from the Church.

He concluded by encouraging the bishops to promote families in the country. The constitution of Honduras protects the definition of the family, but he said the bishops must promote the culture and catechesis necessary for society to understand the truth and beauty of marriage as a covenant for life between a man and a woman.