Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “By a happy coincidence, your visit to the city of the Apostles Peter and Paul comes at a time when the Church all over the world is preparing to celebrate a year dedicated to Saint Paul, the great Apostle of the Gentiles, on the two-thousandth anniversary of his birth. I pray that you will draw inspiration from the example of this zealous apostle, outstanding teacher, and courageous witness to the truth of the Gospel. Through his intercession, may you experience renewed fervour in the great missionary task for which you, like Saint Paul, have been set apart and called (cf. Gal 1:15-16) – that of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore”. With these words Benedict XVI began his address to Catholic Bishops from Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei in Rome for their ad limina visit to the tombs of the Apostles and to speak with the Pope who received in the Vatican on June 6.
The said he was aware that happily “the peoples of Asia display an intense yearning for God”, but warned that although “the seeds of evangelisation” find fertile soil here “If the faith is to flourish, , it needs to strike deep roots in Asian soil, lest it be perceived as a foreign import, alien to the culture and traditions of your people”. He urged the Bishops to: “to ensure that the Christian Gospel is in no way confused in their minds with secular principles associated with the Enlightenment. On the contrary... You can help them to respond to the urgent challenges posed by the Enlightenment, familiar to Western Christianity for over two centuries, but only now beginning to have a significant impact upon other parts of the world.. While resisting the “dictatorship of positivist reason” that tries to exclude God from public discourse, we should welcome the “true conquests of the Enlightenment” – especially the stress on human rights and the freedom of religion and its practice. By stressing the universal character of human rights, grounded in the dignity of the human person created in God’s image, you carry out an important task of evangelization, since this teaching forms an essential aspect of the Gospel”.
Mentioning commitment to interreligious dialogue, the Pope encouraged the Bishops to “ carry forward this important work, exploring every avenue open to you”, never being discouraged by difficulties. “In the context of open and honest dialogue with Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and the followers of other religions present in your respective countries - the Holy Father continued - you assist your fellow citizens to recognize and observe the law “written on their hearts” (Rom 2:15) by clearly articulating the truth of the Gospel. In this way, your teaching can reach a wide audience and help to promote a unified vision of the common good. This in turn should help to foster growth in religious freedom and greater social cohesion between members of different ethnic groups, which can only be conducive to the peace and well-being of the entire community.”
The Pope encouraged the Bishops to take special care of their priests: “urge them to rekindle the gift of God that is within them through the laying on of hands (cf. 2 Tim 1:6). Be a father, brother and friend to them, as Paul was to Timothy and to Titus. Lead them by example, showing them the way to imitate Christ, the Good Shepherd”. The Pope said since the Bishops represent some regions "where it is rare for the people to see a priest and others where the people have not yet heard the Gospel”, the formation of lay Catholics is most important, “so that through sound catechesis the scattered children of God can know the hope to which they have been called, “the riches of his glorious inheritance... Tell your catechists, both lay and religious, that I remember them in my prayers, and that I appreciate the enormous contribution they make to the life of the Christian communities in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore” the Pope concluded. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 9/6/2008)
