Pope Benedict: The Church needs the contribution of all its members

World Youth Day in Madrid and the Lay congress in Asia were some of the major projects the Pontifical Council for the Laity were involved in during the course of the year.
And these were also the subjects Pope Benedict chose to reflect on when he met participants attending the 25^th Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity on Friday.

In the surroundings of the Clementine Hall in the Vatican, Pope Benedict said that both the Congress and World Youth Day had been hugely important in the evangelizing mission of the church and were key focal points on the road to the thirteenth General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on evangelization due to take place next year.

Honing in on the Congress for the laity in Asia which was held in Seoul, Korea the Pope said “the conference provided an opportunity for the laity, associations, movements and new communities operating in Asia, to strengthen the commitment and courage for the Church’s mission.”

A mission he added, that has to contend with "a vast continent that is home to people of different cultures and religions of ancient origin, who often live the faith in difficult circumstances, sometimes even suffering persecution."

Speaking enthusiastically about World Youth Day in Madrid this summer Pope Benedict recalled how he was filled with joy seeing youth from around the globe illuminated by hope and he went on to say that he was looking forward to celebrating the next gathering in Rio de Janeiro in 2013.

Turing his attention to the theme of this Plenary Assembly, "The question of God today" the Pope said that we should never tire of asking that question again and again.

The Holy Father noted that there was a mentality spreading in our time that was denying any reference to God.

This mentality the Pope continued, has led to the crisis that we live in today, which is a crisis of meaning and values and one that had gathered pace even before the economic crisis unfolded.

Finally, the Pope ending with words of encouragement, said to those present the Church needed the contribution of all its members, especially the lay faithful, in order to carry out its’ mission. Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report