Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Your people harbor in their hearts great religious sentiments and noble traditions, rooted in Christianity, which are expressed in heartfelt and genuine religious and civil manifestations. It is a patrimony rich in values that you -- as the reporters show, and Father Nelson referred to in the affable greeting he just addressed to me in your name -- try to maintain, defend, extend, deepen and vivify. In rejoicing greatly over all this, I exhort you to continue this work of constant and methodical evangelization, conscious that the truly Christian formation of the conscience is decisive for a profound life of faith and also for social maturity and the true and balanced well-being of the human community.” This was the Holy Father Benedict XVI's exhortation to the Bishops of the Brazilian Bishops' Conference (South 1 Region), whom he received for their “ad Limina Apostolorum” visit, on Saturday, November 14.
After recalling that “it is not exaggerated to affirm that an authentic social life begins in each one's conscience,” Benedict XVI highlighted that: “Given that a well formed conscience leads to fulfilling the true good of man, the Church, specifying what this good is, enlightens man and, throughout the whole of Christian life, tries to educate his conscience.” He continued, saying: “speak to the heart of your people, awaken consciences, unite wills in a joint effort against the growing wave of violence and contempt for the human being. The latter, from gift of God received in the loving intimacy of marriage between a man and a woman, is now seen as a mere human product.” The Holy Father concluded his address by exhorting the Brazilian Bishops not to be discouraged: “Continue to work for the triumph of God's cause, not with the sad spirit of one who only sees want and dangers, but with the firm confidence of one who knows he can count on Christ's victory.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 16/11/2009)
