Pope urges Panama bishops to fight secularism

(September 19, 2008) An increasing secularization of society, especially through the media, is invading all aspects of daily life, adding to a mentality that denies the existence of God and His absence in human conscience. Pope Benedict XVI expressed this concern to the bishops of Panama when he met them in a group on Friday. The bishops are on their so-called ‘ad limina’ visit to Rome, which heads of dioceses worldwide are required to make every 5 years or so to report on the situation of their jurisdictions. The means of social communications, the Pope told the bishops, is often used to feed this secular mentality in order disseminate individualism, hedonism, ideologies and habits that undermine the very foundations of marriage and Christian morality. To fight these challenges, the Pope said, the disciple of Christ finds strength in the profound knowledge and sincere love of the Lord, in the meditation of Scriptures, in the proper spiritual and doctrinal formation, in constant prayer, in frequent reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, in the conscious and active participation in the Mass and in the practice of works of charity and mercy. The Holy Father expressed his closeness with many families who make great sacrifices to live their Christians ideals under great difficulties that threaten the foundations of conjugal love, responsible fatherhood and the harmony and stability of marriage. The Pope urged for the development of a vigorous pastoral plan in favour of the family in order to help people discover the beauty of the vocation of Christian marriage, defend human life from conception till natural death, and build families where children are educated in the love and truth of the Gospel and in solid human values.