Discourse of Pope Benedict XVI to the Bishops of Chile on the Occasion of Ad Limina Visit

(December 4, 2008) You are aware that today people feel an urgent need for real life examples of evangelical and deep spiritual life. Therefore, the sanctity of all members of the Church, and especially their pastors, is one of the most precious gifts you can give your brothers, said Pope Benedict XVI. He was addressing the Bishops of Chile on Thursday, 4^th of December, at the conclusion of their Ad Limina visit. Ad Limina visit is the five yearly visits of all Bishops to Rome to visit the relics of the Apostles and also to give complete account of their dioceses to the Holy Father. He spoke of their mission to spread the message of Salvation with deep faith and their intimacy with the Master. There would be obstacles and difficulties on their path but the Lord assures us of his presence, he said. The Pontiff referred with joy to their pastoral guidelines along with their Episcopal Conference, to face the apostolic challenges of the times. He reminded them of the call of the Catholic Church but also of the whole Chilean society to holiness. Speaking of the Priests of Chile, the Holy Father asked the Bishops to communicate his appreciation for their loyalty to the ministry and their constant and dedicated work. He called on them to strengthen the Seminary formation and to work for more vocations. The Pope then appreciated their great work for the laity to assume responsibility and maturity with the demands of their baptism to participating, in the mission of the whole Church. He also stressed his emphasis on the charitable activity of their diocese for the poor. Finally, the Pope called on them to continue to cultivate the spirit of communion with the Pope and bishops, especially within the same Episcopal Conference and of the Ecclesiastical Province.