Pope Leo thanks French Bishops for ‘unforgettable’ visit
By Olivier Bonnel
As France’s Bishops began their autumn plenary assembly in Lourdes on Tuesday, November 3, Pope Leo XIV thanked them for helping make his recent Apostolic Journey “an unforgettable experience.”
In a letter dated November 1, the Pope invited the Bishops to reflect on the pastoral fruits of his visit.
The assembly opened with an address by Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille and President of the French Bishops’ Conference, followed by the reading of the Pope’s letter.
“A little more than a month after my Apostolic Journey to France, I wish to express once again my gratitude for the remarkable organization of my visit,” Pope Leo wrote. “Bishops and faithful, as well as civil and religious authorities and believers and nonbelievers alike, all put their skills to use to make those days an unforgettable experience.”
Education and the common good
The Bishops are meeting in the same auditorium in Lourdes where they welcomed the Bishop of Rome on September 27. In his letter, Pope Leo addressed the themes on their agenda, beginning with education.
“Respect for everyone’s freedom of conscience holds the promise of great fruitfulness for society and for the Church herself,” the Pope explained, recalling a passage from his address. “Nevertheless, Catholic education cannot abandon its Christ-centered educational mission, which seeks the integral development of the human person in every dimension: spiritual, cultural, intellectual, moral, and social.”
Reflecting on the challenges he witnessed firsthand during his visit to France, Pope Leo recalled the need to form men and women in the values of the Gospel, “mindful of respect for the common good,” whom society needs “to confront the crises tearing it apart.”
“It is important to listen to younger generations, including their sense of unease, and to encourage them, through sound formation, to make a sincere commitment, including in politics,” he wrote.
His appeal comes as many young people, including high school and university students, have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest, in particular, their lack of prospects for the future.
Following in the footsteps of the saints
Echoing his words at the vigil with young people at the Stade de France on September 25, the Pope urged the French Bishops to follow in the footsteps of the saints, “those witnesses who have marked the history of France,” and to “allow yourselves to be shaped by their teachings.”
“Knowledge of the saints of yesterday and today is a source of strength for the spiritual life,” he stressed.
“Do not hesitate to familiarize your faithful, especially catechumens and neophytes, with these friends in heaven,” the Pope urged.
Through the diversity of their backgrounds and their witness, these figures “make holiness accessible to everyone.”
Supporting victims of abuse
The final part of the letter focused on supporting victims of sexual abuse in the Church, whom Pope Leo took time to meet on the afternoon of September 26 during his Apostolic Visit to France.
The tragedy of abuse remains one of the issues being addressed at the Bishops’ plenary assembly.
“Because holiness entails charity in truth, I encourage you, guided by these two virtues, to continue your work of accompanying victims of sexual violence and coercive control. It is essential that the community of the faithful become ever more a place where men and women of all ages can find comfort and healing,” the Pope wrote.
He entrusted the Bishops’ work to the care of Our Lady of Lourdes: “May she accompany your pastoral mission among your diocesan communities, so that holiness may continue to blossom and flourish in France.”
No comments:
Post a Comment