Pope to Mexican Bishops: Promote a spirit of harmony
(Vatican Radio) In written remarks prepared and delivered to the Bishops of Mexico
on Monday, Pope Francis praised their efforts to help the needy and urged them to
promote a culture of encounter, dialogue and peace. Lydia O’Kane reports.
In
his speech to the Mexican Bishops who are here on their ad Limina visits, Pope Francis
began by highlighting the Christian values that underpin many Latin American countries
including Mexico, adding that this country’s heritage cannot be understood without
looking at the faith of its people.
The Pope underlined that if ones looks
to Our Lady of Guadalupe, it can been seen that on more than one occasion the example
of her tenderness has contributed to the reconciliation and the full liberation of
the Mexican people.
Focusing on the current multiple violence afflicting Mexican
society, particularly among young people, the Holy Father highlighted the need to
promote Our Lady’s spirit of harmony through a culture of encounter, dialogue and
peace .
During his speech to the Bishops, Pope Francis acknowledged all their
efforts to help the needy, the unemployed, those working in subhuman conditions, those
without access to social services , migrants in search of better living conditions,
and farmers. He also urged the Bishops to make the victims of drug trafficking and
the vulnerable their continuing concern.
On the issue of evangelization the
Holy Father stressed to those gathered the importance of catechists and the laity,
who he called “irreplaceable” in spreading the word of God in the family, in schools
and even in government and he invited the Bishops to help lay people in this regard.
He
also urged the Bishops to promote the dignity of human life from conception to natural
death.
Finally, the Pope made particular mention of young people, especially
those who feel the call of Christ. He continued by saying that attention should be
given to the promotion, selection and training of vocations to the priesthood and
consecrated life, because, he said, they express the fruitfulness of the Church and
its ability to attract disciples and missionaries to plant in the world the good seed
of the Kingdom of God. Listen