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Skriven 2007-03-08 17:55:36 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

POPE GIVES THANKS FOR ANNUAL PETER'S PENCE DONATION

VATICAN CITY, MAR 8, 2007 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received members of the
Rome-based charity organization, the Circle of St. Peter, for their traditional
annual audience during which they present him with Peter's Pence, the proceeds
of collections taken up in Roman churches over the last year.

In his address, Benedict XVI recalled that the tradition of collecting "Peter's
Pence" was already in use "in the first Christian communities," and derives
from "the awareness that each member of the faithful is called to support the
work of evangelization, also in material terms, and at the same time to help
the poor and needy."

"Peter's Pence is collected annually in all dioceses, parishes and religious
communities," said the Holy Father, "and is then brought to the heart of the
Church to be redistributed according to necessity, and to the requests that
reach the Pope from all over the earth."

"May the Lord repay you and render your ecclesial service fruitful," Pope
Benedict told his audience, "and may He help you to make all the initiatives of
your Circle a success." In this context, the Pope recalled how for more than
six years they have been "supporting the sick and their families" at the Sacred
Heart Hospice. "A silent but eloquent witness of love for human life, which
deserves attention and respect until its final breath."

After thanking them for their visit, the Pope encouraged the members of the
Circle of St. Peter to continue their "charitable activities and their service
of attending upon and welcoming the faithful in the Vatican Basilica and during
the ceremonies presided by the Pope."
AC/.../CIRCLE ST. PETERVIS 070308 (280)

SUMMARY

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