(Vatican Radio) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday received a group of the bishops, who were
participants in the II Vatican Council, along with the Presidents of Bishops’ conferences
present here in Rome. Their meeting came before a formal luncheon with all the Fathers
of the XIII Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the New Evangelization.
The Holy Father reflected on the way that the bishops of every rite give concrete
expression to the universality of the Church as they proclaim the Gospel in every
region of the world, in service to the Church and in obedience to the mandate they
have received from Christ. Listen to our report:
Pope Benedict
had words of special greeting for all those present, who participated as Fathers of
the Second Vatican Council. Reflecting on the Council as an expression of the continuity
of the contemporary Church, with its history and its ultimate destiny, Pope Benedict
said, “Christianity should not be regarded as ‘something of the past,’ nor should
it be seen with eyes constantly turned ‘backwards’, because Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today and for ever (cf. Heb 13:8).” The Holy Father went on to say, “Christianity
is marked by the presence of the eternal God, who has entered into time and is present
at all times.”
“The Council,” said Pope Benedict, “was a time of grace in which
the Holy Spirit taught us that the Church, in her journey through history, must always
speak to modern man, but this can only happen by the power of those who have deep
roots in God, who allow themselves to be guided by Him and live with purity of their
faith - not by those who will follow the passing moment, by those who choose the more
comfortable path.” Pope Benedict concluded, saying, “Today, what is important and
essential is to bring the ray of God's love into the hearts and lives of every man
and every woman: to bring men and women everywhere and of all ages to God,” and expressing
the hope that every particular Church, in celebrating the Year of Faith, might discover
an opportunity to make the always necessary return to the source of the Gospel, which
is the transforming encounter with the person of Jesus Christ.