VATICAN - Benedict XVI tells Bishops of Peru on their Ad Limina visit: “a Church in mission puts its own problems in perspective and looks towards the future with hope and enthusiasm”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Even today, as in the entire history of the Church, cultivating a spirit of communion, appreciating the qualities of each of the brothers and sisters that Divine Providence has placed at our side, is necessary. In this manner, the various members of Christ's Body can help each other mutually in carrying out their daily activity.” These were the words of the Holy Father Benedict XVI to the Peruvian Bishops' Conference, whom he received in an audience on May 18, on their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit.
After highlighting that “the authentic unity of the Church is always an inexhaustible source of evangelizing spirit,” the Holy Father expressed his delight for the fact that the missionary impulse promoted in the Fifth General Conference of Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean in Aparecida and the Continental Mission within the various pastoral plans. “Certainly, a Church in mission puts its own problems in perspective and looks towards the future with hope and enthusiasm,” the Pope said. “This means relaunching the missionary spirit, not out of fear of the future, but because the Church is a dynamic presence, and the true disciple of Jesus Christ takes pleasure in freely transmitting His divine Word to others and sharing with them the love that flowed from His open side on the cross. When the beauty and truth of Christ conquer our hearts, we experience the joy of being His disciples and we convincingly assume the mission of proclaiming His redemptive message.”
Following the example of Saint Toribio of Mogrovejo and so many other holy Pastors, the Pope encouraged the Bishops to “daring disciples and missionaries of the Lord”: “Assiduous pastoral visits to ecclesial communities (including the most remote and humble), prolonged prayer, careful preparation of preaching, paternal concern for priests, families, young people, catechists and other pastoral care workers, are the best ways to instill in everyone an ardent desire to be messengers of the Good News of salvation, and will at the same time open the hearts of those around you, especially the sick and those most in need.”
The Holy Father then exhorted the Bishops of Peru to “offer fraternal accompaniment and encouragement to the religious men and women present in the Dioceses, so that “living the evangelical counsels according to their own charism, they may continue their robust witness of love for God, unshakable adherence to Church Magisterium and willing collaboration with diocesan pastoral programs.”
The Pope's final thought was for the Peruvians who are without work or adequate educational and healthcare provisions, and those who live in the suburbs of the great cities or in isolated areas, as well as those who have fallen pray to drug addiction and violence: “We cannot ignore these our weakest brothers and sisters, beloved unto God, as Christ's charity urges us on.”
In concluding his address, Benedict XVI asked that the Lord illumine the Bishops in their pastoral service to the People of God, helping them to overcome moments of discomfort, encouraging them to pass along his affectionate greeting to the Emeritus Bishops, priests, deacons, seminarians, religious communities, and faithful of Peru. “May Mary Most Holy, Our Lady of Evangelization, protect us all with Her Motherly love!” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 19/5/2009)