Pope’s message to Congress of Asian Laity
(Sept.01,2010) “The supreme service and the greatest gift that the Church can offer to the people of Asia is that of bearing witness to Jesus Christ, the universal Saviour of humankind,” Pope Benedict XVI said in his message of prayerful good wishes to the Congress of the Asian Laity that opened on Wednesday in the South Korean capital, Seoul. The Pope’s message was addressed to the Congress through Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, President of Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Laity. A large number of Bishops, priests, Religious lay faithful, Catholic Associations and Ecclesial Movements are participating in the August 31st to 5th September Congress.
The Pope said the theme chosen for the event “Proclaiming Jesus Christ in Asia today” is most timely, and he is confident that it will encourage and guide the lay faithful of the Asian Continent in bearing joyful witness to Christ. The people of Asia need Jesus Christ and His Gospel, he said. The Pope noted that Asia, home to two-thirds of the world’s people, the cradle of great religions and spiritual tradition and the birthplace of different cultures,, is currently undergoing unprecedented economic and social transformation. He said that Christians, as part of the mosaic of the Asian Continent’s different people, cultures and religions, have been entrusted with a great mission, that of bearing witness to Jesus Christ. The Pope expressed the hope that the present Congress will provide renewed encouragement and direction in taking up this mandate.
Pope Benedict’s message also expressed gratitude for the outstanding work of numerous catechists, who bring the riches of the Catholic faith to the young and old alike, drawing individuals, families and parish communities to an ever deeper encounter with Christ. The Holy Father concluded his message saying he would be spiritually united with them in prayer during the Congress .
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