Pope Benedict XVI Addresses the Delegation of the International Federation of Catholic Universities.

(November 19, 2009) “Today there are more than 1,300 Catholic universities and about 400 ecclesiastical faculties spread across all continents, many of which have arisen in recent decades, reflecting a growing interest in the particular Churches for the training of clergy and laity to culture and research,” said Pope Benedict XVI. He was addressing the members of the Delegation of the International Federation of Catholic Universities, in Rome on Thursday, 19^th of November. The Holy Father said that “the Apostolic Constitution from its very first words expresses the urgency, to overcome the gap between faith and culture, calling for a greater commitment to evangelization in the firm belief that the Christian revelation is a transforming power, intended to permeate the ways of thinking, evaluate situations and form norms for action.” Our education must be to illuminate, purify and renew the habits of men and their cultures and at the same time must be the central point of teaching and research. This must enhance the quality of people, prepare them to be witnesses of faith and make them socially responsible persons. The Pontiff then said that their commitment to serve the truth that God revealed to humanity is a part of the evangelizing mission that Christ entrusted to the Church is therefore an ecclesial service. Therefore it is important for teachers and students, never to lose sight of the goal to attain, namely that of being an instrument of the Gospel. Pope then said that as the Federation of Catholic University is celebrating the 60^th anniversary, it must promote a "new humanistic synthesis", generate knowledge that builds wisdom that can guide man to the light of their origin and the ultimate goals" and their service is valuable for the mission of the Church.