Pope’s Discourse at the End of Ad Limina Visit of Bishops of Paraguay
(September 11, 2008) Pope Benedict XVI called on the Bishops of Paraguay to strengthen their bonds of communion with the successor of Peter and within themselves, keeping in mind the unity for which Jesus prayed at the Last Supper. He was addressing the 16 Bishops of Paraguay at his Summer Residence of Castel Gandolfo on Thursday, 11th September on the Occasion of the Ad Limina Visit. The Ad Limina visit is the five yearly visits done by the Bishops to Rome to visit the Relics of the Apostles and also to give complete account of their diocese to the Holy Father. The Pope said that the Bishop, besides being the visible principle and foundation of unity in his own particular Church, is also the bond of communion and ecclesial point of grace between his particular Church and the universal Church. He expressed that the pastoral challenges they face are really big and complex. Faced with a cultural environment that tries to marginalize people of God and society, it is necessary to put in their vast missionary effort to bring the salvation message of Jesus to all. The Pope added that their own Episcopal ministry is one of the most precious gifts that they can give their own communities.Encouraging them to be close to their priests, the Holy Father invited them to appreciate their work, and provide adequate lifelong learning to help them revitalize their spiritual life and motivate them to a deep sense of love and obedience to the Church. He then expressed his affection for the religious laity and seminarians and asked the Bishops to all efforts to train the young persons adequately for the priesthood. Earlier Monsignor Ignacio Gogorza Izaguirre, Bishop of incarnation and President of the Episcopal Conference, expressed his gratitude to the Pope for the care and concern for the church. While thanking him for raising to sainthood Roque Gonzales and beatification of Sister Mary Felicia of the Sacrament of Jesus, he extended his invitation to the Holy Father to come to Paraguay.
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