2009-01-29 13:18:31

Pope Benedict XVI Address to the Episcopal Conference of Russia, at ad Limina visit


(January 29, 2009) You live in a particular Church, in a country that is marked in most of its population by a thousand Orthodox traditions with a rich religious and cultural heritage. It is essential to take into account the need for a renewed commitment to dialogue with our Orthodox brothers and sisters. These days I feel spiritually close to the dear brothers and sisters of the Russian Orthodox Church, who rejoice in the election of Metropolitan Kirill a new Patriarch of Moscow, said Pope Benedict XVI. He was speaking to the Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Russia at Rome on Thursday, 29th January, during the Ad Limina visit. Ad Limina visit is the five yearly visit of the Bishops to Rome to visit the relics of the Apostles and also give a detailed account of their respective dioceses to the Holy Father. The Holy Father expressed his joy at the growth of their community that is experiencing a process of maturation and steadiness under their care. He appreciated their effort towards the revival of the liturgical and sacramental life, their growth in catechesis, of priestly formation and the preparation of a mature and responsible laity with evangelical fervour. The Pope observed of the crisis in family and Society in Russia and yet their attention as directed especially to young people, of the Russian Catholic community, should bear fruit. The Pope then called on them to continue to promote and treat, with constant effort and attention, the priestly and religious vocations which are the need of the time. He called on them to take care to train priests with the same concern of St. Paul to his disciple Timothy, because they are real "men of God." He asked them to have at heart the formation of consecrated persons and the spiritual growth of the lay faithful, to feel their lives as a response to the universal call to holiness.







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