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Skriven 2006-07-10 22:53:50 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

CROATIAN BISHOPS: WORKERS FOR RECONCILIATION AND PEACE

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received prelates from
the Croatian Bishops' Conference, who have just completed their "ad limina"
visit.

In his address to them, the Holy Father expressed his contentment for the
bishops' pastoral initiatives aimed at "solid preparation for the Sacraments
and appropriate participation in the liturgy." He also mentioned their
"commitment to religious formation and to high quality catechesis," and their
concern "for traditional forms of devotion and frequent pilgrimages, especially
to Marian shrines."

After mentioning Croatia's desire to join the European Union, Benedict XVI
pointed out how the nation could bring "the contribution of its own culture and
its own traditions to a shared search for the full truth about man. ... It is
essential that the construction of the common European home" rests upon that
truth, and upon every individual's right to life, respect and religious
freedom. "Upon these values it is possible to reach a consensus even with those
people who, while not belonging to the Catholic Church, accept the voice of
reason and are sensitive to the dictates of natural law."

The Pope also highlighted that in order to counteract secularization and
relativism "tireless announcement of evangelical values is necessary." In this
context, he encouraged the prelates not to be afraid "to show the faithful what
the Gospel teaches, putting them on their guard against values that run counter
to it, so that your communities can stimulate all of society to pursue the
common good and care for the needy."

"Unfortunately," Pope Benedict went on, "your country is still feeling the
consequences of the recent conflict, the negative effects of which are visible
not only in the economy but also in the souls of the inhabitants. ... Always be
announcers of reconciliation and workers for peace among the citizens of your
country, encouraging them to follow the path of Christian reconciliation.
Forgiveness frees, in the first place, those who have the courage to grant it."

Benedict XVI called on the Croatian bishops to be "generous in serving the
Church and your people, persevering in prayer and full of zeal in announcement.
Pay particular attention to the formation of priests; ... promote priestly
vocations and take watchful care of your seminarians. I exhort you to guide,
with love and a spirit of mutual collaboration, religious communities and
movements of both consecrated and lay life."

The Pope told the prelates to continue to promote "faithful love, harmony, and
daily prayer" in families, "encouraging them to a generous openness to life,"
then emphasized the importance of the presence of Catholics "in public life,
and in the communications media." It is up to them, he concluded, "to ensure
that a voice of truth is heard on the problems of the day."
AL/.../CROATIA VIS 060706 (470)

SUMMARY

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