Pope Sees Parish Reorganization as Opportunity for Spiritual Renewal

VATICAN CITY, MAY 22, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The reorganization of parishes must be seen as an opportunity for “spiritual renewal,” says Benedict XVI. The Holy Father said this on Saturday when receiving bishops of Atlantic Canada, on their five-yearly visit to Rome.
In Canada, the bishops visit Rome in four separate groups, according to the regional episcopal assembly to which they belong.

The bishops of the Atlantic assembly are the second of the four groups to travel to Rome.

Having read the bishops’ individual reports, Benedict XVI said they face, due to a shortage of priests, “the delicate task of the reorganization of parishes and also of the dioceses.”

“This can never be done appropriately with simple social models of re-structuring,” as “without Christ we can do nothing,” the Pontiff said.

Prayer

The Pope continued: “Prayer roots us in the truth, reminding us ceaselessly of the primacy of Christ and, in union with him, of the primacy of the interior life and of holiness.

“Parishes are considered above all as houses and schools of communion.

“Therefore, the reorganization of parishes is essentially an exercise in spiritual renewal.

“This calls for pastoral promotion of holiness so that the faithful pay attention to the will of God.”

Benedict XVI said this objective is realized through an “authentic pedagogy of prayer, introduction to the lives of saints and the multiple forms of spirituality that embellish and stimulate the life of the Church, through regular participation in the sacrament of reconciliation, and through a convincing catechesis on Sunday as the ‘day of faith.'”

“I am convinced that a discovery of Jesus Christ, Word made flesh, our savior, will lead to a rediscovery of the faithful’s personal, social and cultural identity,” the Pope added.

The Holy Father continued: “Instead of confusing the diversity and complementarity of charisms and functions of the ordained ministers and lay faithful, a reinforced Catholic identity will revive the passion for evangelization, which is proper to the vocation of every believer and to the nature of the Church.”
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