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Skriven 2005-11-30 06:53:24 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

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS A KEY QUESTION FOR POLAND

VATICAN CITY, NOV 26, 2005 (VIS) - Today, Benedict XVI received in audience the
first group of prelates from the Conference of the Polish Episcopate who have
just completed their "ad limina" visit.

"I recall with emotion," said the Pope at the beginning of his address to the
bishops, "the great prayer with which the Poles accompanied John Paul II
throughout his pontificate, and in particular over the days of his passage to
the glory of the Lord. I am grateful to be able to count upon the same
prayerful support. It is something I greatly appreciate and constantly
request."

Among the themes he discussed with the Polish episcopate, Benedict XVI laid
particular emphasis on the question of Christian education in the light of the
Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesai in Europa," where John Paul II called on the
continent "to give greater attention to the training of young people in the
faith."

"The faithful and fruitful realization of the mission of education which the
Church is facing today, calls for adequate evaluation of the situation of the
young people towards whom it is directed," he said. "I am aware that economic
difficulties, consistently high levels of unemployment, and concern over
guaranteeing material existence all have an effect on the way of life of many
Polish families. It is not possible to create truly authentic attitudes without
bearing in mind these problems, which also affect young people."

The Holy Father also noted the presence of "many positive phenomena that
support and assist education in the faith," such as "a profound sensitivity
towards the needs of others, especially those of the poor," and "a real
interest for questions of faith and religion."

"Education in faith," the Pope explained, "must consist in the first place of
developing that which is good in man. ... In the Church's educational
initiatives, it would also be appropriate ... to accustom children and young
people to prayer. ... Among the various forms of prayer, a special place is
reserved for the liturgy. In Poland, young people participate actively and in
large numbers in Sunday Mass."

Going on to refer to the enthusiastic participation of young Poles in Catholic
groups, Benedict XVI made particular mention of the "Light and Life" movement.
"The spirituality of this movement is focussed on the encounter with God in
Holy Scripture and in the Eucharist," he said, calling on the prelates to
support it "as being particularly effective in educating in the faith, though
without, of course, overlooking other movements."

The Holy Father then addressed the question of cooperation with families and
lay associations, in the field of education. "The formation of young
generations is the task of parents, of the Church and of the State," he said.
"Therefore, ... the Church must collaborate very closely with schools,
universities and other lay institutions."

The teaching of religion in schools must "maintain its true evangelical
dimension of transmitting and bearing witness to the faith," Pope Benedict
observed. As for the catechesis of adults, he called on the bishops to "support
those institutions that already undertake" this activity.

The final points of the Holy Father's address to the Polish episcopate
concerned pastoral care in universities and in the world of culture and of the
communications media.

"After years of scant freedom, the Church in Poland has been able to establish
her own universities and theological faculties, most of which have become part
of the infrastructure of State-run universities," the Pope said.

He then went on to observe how Poland, with its "rich cultural heritage rooted
in Christian values," had entered the European Union, adding that the country
"must not lose this heritage." The Pope also highlighted the fact that, in the
world of culture, a special role is played by the communications media, "which
thus constitute a valuable instrument of evangelization." And he invited the
prelates to establish contact "with the world of journalists and other media
operators. It may be appropriate to organize special pastoral initiatives
specifically for them."

Benedict XVI concluded by quoting the Vatican Council II Declaration
"Gravissimum educationis," wherein the Conciliar Fathers remind pastors of
"their most serious obligation to see to it that all the faithful, but
especially the youth who are the hope of the Church, enjoy a Christian
education."

"This exhortation is still relevant," said the Holy Father, "and it may be even
more urgent today, in the face of the new challenges presented by current
social phenomena."
AL/.../POLAND VIS 051128 (750)

SUMMARY

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