Growing religious pluralism requires serious consideration: Pope
June 22, 2012: Colombia is not immune to the consequences of ignoring God. But I
know the efforts made in recent times to realize initiatives to foster a renewed and
fruitful stream of evangelization’, said Pope Benedict XVI while addressing the Bishops
of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia on Friday in Vatican. The Bishops are on
their ad limina visit to Rome.
While years ago it was possible to recognize
a cultural unit, widely accepted in reference to the content of faith and inspiration
but it does not seem to be so today in the vast sectors of society, because of the
crisis of spiritual values. It is therefore essential to revive in all conscience
to be faithful disciples and missionaries of Christ, to nourish the roots of their
faith, hope and charity, the Pontiff added.
He exhorted the bishops to take
advantage of the reflections of the next Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of
Bishops, and the proposals of the "Year of the faith".
The growing religious
pluralism is a factor that requires serious consideration, the Pope told the bishops. The
increasingly active presence of Pentecostal and Evangelical communities, cannot be
ignored or undervalued. He said that the people of God are called to purify and revitalize
their faith moved by the Holy Spirit, because people often sincerely leaves our Church
mainly not because of doctrinal but experiential, not for purely dogmatic, but pastoral,
not theological but methodological problems of our Church." It is therefore to be
better Christians, more pious, affable and welcoming in our parishes and communities,
so that no one feels distant or excluded.
The Pontiff urged them to promote
Catechesis, giving special attention to youth and adults. He also suggested carefully
prepared homilies and promoting the teaching of Catholic doctrine in schools and universities.
The
Pope also reflected on the impact of violence in Colombia, the victims of natural
disasters, the poor , the peasants, the sick and afflicted, the migrants. He insisted
on the faithful to promote a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, meditate regularly
the Word of God and participating in the sacraments. He invited all to conversion
and holiness.
Earlier Archbishop Ruben Salazar Gomez, Archbishop of Bogota
and President of the Episcopal Conference, presented to the Pontiff the realities
which concern them, and the challenges they face.