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Skriven 2006-05-15 07:09:08 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
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                               VIS-Press releases

CANADIAN BISHOPS: THE EUCHARIST BUILDS THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, MAY 11, 2006 (VIS) - Benedict XVI today received the first group
of bishops from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. The prelates, from
Quebec, have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

The Pope affirmed that this visit, and those to follow, are giving him the
opportunity to reflect upon "certain significant themes regarding the mission
of the Church in Canadian society, which is marked by pluralism, subjectivism
and increasing secularization."

The Holy Father recalled how in 2008 the city of Quebec will celebrate the
fourth centenary of its foundation and, in the same year, host the
International Eucharistic Congress. He called on city's diocese to "rediscover
... the place the Eucharist must occupy in the life of the Church," noting how
in their reports the bishops had highlighted "the notable drop in religious
practice over the last few years," and "the lack of young people at Eucharistic
assemblies."

"The faithful," the Pope said, "must be convinced of the vital importance of
regular participation in Sunday Mass, that their faith may grow and find
coherent expression. In fact, the Eucharist, source and summit of Christian
life, unites and conforms us to the Son of God. It also builds the Church,
strengthening her in her unity as the Body of Christ. No Christian community
can be built up if it does not have its root and its core in the celebration of
the Eucharist."

"Apart from the drop in the number of priests," he went on, "which at times
makes it impossible to celebrate Sunday Mass in certain places, what is
particularly worrying is the place occupied by sacramentality in the life of
the Church. The requirements of pastoral organization must not compromise
authentic ecclesiology. ... The central role of the priest - who 'in persona
Christi capitis,' teaches, sanctifies and rules the community - must not be
diminished."

"The importance of the role of the laity, for whose generosity in serving
Christian communities I am most grateful, must never obscure the absolutely
irreplaceable ministry of priests in the life of the Church. Consequently,
priestly ministry cannot be entrusted to others without effectively prejudicing
the very authenticity of the Church's being. Moreover, how will young men want
to become priests if the role of ordained ministry is not clearly defined and
recognized?"

Despite these problems, "the thirst for renewal perceptible in the faithful is
a sign of hope," said Pope Benedict, and he went on to refer to the "positive
impact" on young Canadians of World Youth Day, celebrated in Toronto in 2002,
and of the Year of the Eucharist, which awoke a fresh interest in Eucharistic
adoration.

"If, as John Paul II wrote, Christianity in our time must distinguish itself
above all for 'the art of prayer,' how can we not feel a renewed need to dwell
in spiritual conversation ... before Christ present in the Most Holy
Sacrament?"

The Pope then went on to thank Canadian institutes of consecrated life for the
"apostolic and spiritual commitment of their members," highlighting how
"consecrated life is a gift of God benefiting the entire Church and serving
life in the world." Hence, it must take place in a context of "solid ecclesial
communion." On this subject, Benedict XVI invited consecrated men and women "to
work ever more closely with pastors, welcoming and spreading Church doctrine in
all its integrity."

"You, as well as the whole Christian community," the Pope concluded, "have a
primordial duty to transmit the call of the Lord fearlessly, to awaken
vocations and to accompany young people along the path of discernment and
commitment, in the joy of celibacy. In this spirit, you must take care over the
catechesis of children and young people. ... Thus, I invite the Catholic
community of Quebec to pay renewed attention to its adherence to the truth of
Church teaching on theology and morals, two inseparable aspects of being a
Christian in the world."
AL/.../CANADA QUEBEC VIS 060511 (670)

SUMMARY

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