Pope Benedict XVI speaks to the Brazilian Bishops at the Ad Limina Visit
(September 17, 2009) “The deepening harmony, correct and congenial relationship between
common and ministerial priesthood is currently one of the finer points of being and
life of the Church,” said Pope Benedict XVI. “The role of the priest is irreplaceable
and essential to the proclamation of the Word and the celebration of the sacraments,
especially the Eucharist, the memorial of the supreme sacrifice of Christ, who gives
us his Body and his Blood,” he added. He was addressing the group of Bishops from
Brazi, on Thursday, 17th of September, on the occasion of their Ad Limina
visit. An ad limina visit means the obligation of residential diocesan bishops and
prelates with territorial jurisdiction of visiting the tombs of the Apostles, Saints
Peter and Paul every five years, and of meeting the Pope to report on the state of
their dioceses. The Pontiff said that “in the essential diversity between the ministerial
and common priesthood there is the specific identity of ordained and lay faithful.”
He admonished them saying that the priests should stay away from a personal engagement
in politics in order to foster the unity and fellowship of all believers and so can
be a reference for all. At the same time the faithful should strive to express in
reality, including through political commitment, the anthropological and the Christian
doctrine of the Church. In the present situation in which they have to organize the
church life with fewer priests, the Pope called on them to concentrate on new and
good vocations and prepare the pastors that are indispensable to their dioceses. In
this year dedicated to the priests the Holy Father called on them to follow the example
of the Curé d'Ars, who called the faithful to unite their lives to the sacrifice of
Christ. The he called on the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for all God's people in
Brazil, so that pastors and faithful can, with courage and joy, "openly speak on the
mystery of the Gospel." Finally the Holy Father imparted his Apostolic Blessing.