(May 16, 2011) While exhorting a sound catechesis that leads to a rich and personal
encounter with Christ, Pope Benedict XVI on Monday also encouraged India’s bishops
in inter-religious dialogue that will help safeguard their right to of freedom of
religion and worship. Pope Benedict’s exhortation came in an address to some 44 Indian
bishops from the regions of north-east, Bengal and Bijhan that comprises Bihar, Jharkhand
and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. While bishops from the north-east and Bengal
regions have concluded their regulation 5-yearly ‘ad limina’ visit to Rome, those
of Bijhan have just begun theirs. After underscoring the primacy of Christ’s missionary
mandate of preaching the Gospel, Pope Benedict urged priests, religious and lay catechists
to learn how to communicate with clarity and loving devotion the life-transforming
beauty of Christian living and teaching, which, he said, will enable and enrich the
encounter with Christ himself. “This,” he added, “is especially true of the preparation
of the faithful to meet our Lord in the sacraments. In the delicate process of enculturation
in India’s multicultural setting, the Pope said, priests, religious and lay catechists
need sensitivity and creativity to present the Good News in a convincing manner in
fidelity to the Church’s deposit of faith. The Holy Father also encouraged the Indian
prelates on the path of inter-religious dialogue, saying it “should be characterized
by a constant regard for that which is true, in order to foster mutual respect while
avoiding semblances of syncretism.” “Moreover, as Indian Christians strive to live
in peace and harmony with their neighbours of other beliefs,” the Pontiff said, “your
prudent leadership will be crucial in the civil and moral task of working to safeguard
the fundamental human rights of freedom of religion and freedom of worship.” “I encourage
you, therefore, to work patiently to establish the common ground necessary for the
harmonious enjoyment of these basic rights in your communities,” the Pope added.