Pope meets bishops of Angola and Sao Tome

(March 21, 2009) Against a widespread relativism that denies every certainty and even tries to make the individual and his whims its ultimate measure, the Church proposes another measure, that of the Son of God, who is indeed the true man. Christ is the measure of true humanism,” said Pope Benedict XVI on Friday addressing the 25 bishops of Angola and São Tomé. The meeting with the Church leaders at the nunciature in the Angolan capital, Luanda, was part of the programme of his March 17-23 pastoral visit to Cameroon and Angola.
“A Christian with an adult and mature faith,” the Pope said, “is not swept off his feet by the waves of fashion and the latest novelties, but rather lives deeply rooted in the friendship of Christ.” This friendship opens us up to all that is good, and helps us in discerning between what is true and untrue.
According to the Pope, “the field of culture is certainly crucial to the future of the faith and the overall direction of the life of the nation.” Through its renowned academic institutions the Church can make its Catholic voice heard in debates affecting national life. Thus, in the light of faith it can rationally explore the many questions emerging in the various areas of science and life. The Pope said that culture and models of behaviour nowadays are more and more conditioned and shaped by images set forth by the communications media. The Pope commended the Angolan bishops’ efforts to develop a communications strategy in order to imbue human events, problems and realities with a Christian interpretation.
One such human reality, currently faced with numerous difficulties and threats, the Pope said, is the family. Families are particularly in need of evangelization and practical support, since, in addition to the fragility and lack of inner stability of so many conjugal unions, there is the widespread tendency in society and culture to question the unique nature and specific mission of the family based on marriage. The Holy Father urged the bishops to vocally defend the sacredness of human life and the value of the institution of marriage, as well as promote the family’s proper role in the Church and society. At the same time, they should also demand economic and legislative measures to support the family in bearing and raising children.
The Pope expressed satisfaction over Angola’s many vibrant communities of faith, a committed laity and a significant number of vocations to the ordained ministry and the consecrated life. They represent a genuine sign of hope for the future. He paid homage to missionaries who patiently and heroically proclaimed the Gospel because of which there are Christian communities in Angola. Pope Benedict urged the bishops to take of their priests, showing particular attention to their theological and spiritual formation, making sure they can be authentic witnesses of the word they proclaim and the sacraments they celebrate.