Immigration in UK
STRANIERIINITALIA.IT| Pope Benedict confirms Apostolic Visit to Great Britain |
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“There are many signs of living faith and devotion among the Catholics of England and Wales”
2nd February 2010: The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has confirmed his Apostolic visit to Great Britain. He made the confirmation in his address to the Bishops of England and Wales on the occasion of their ad Limina visit to Rome. The General Audience took place on 1st February 2010. The Apostolic Visit is taking place in response to an invitation extended by the State. Full details are yet to be confirmed. The Holy Father said: “Even amid the pressures of a secular age, there are many signs of living faith and devotion among the Catholics of England and Wales. I am thinking for example of the enthusiasm generated by the visit of the relics of St Thérèse, the interest aroused by the prospect of Cardinal Newman’s beatification and the eagerness of young people to take part in pilgrimages and World Youth Days. “On the occasion of my forthcoming Apostolic Visit to Great Britain, I shall be able to witness that faith for myself and as Successor of Peter, to strengthen and confirm it.” During the preparations for his visit, the Pope urged the bishops “to encourage the Catholics of England and Wales in their devotion and assure them that the Pope constantly remembers them in his prayers and holds them in his heart.” “Your country”, the Pope told the bishops, “is well known for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society. Yet”, he noted, “the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs”. The Holy Father also urged the prelates “to ensure that the Church’s moral teaching be always presented in its entirety and convincingly defended. Fidelity to the Gospel in no way restricts the freedom of others; on the contrary, it serves their freedom by offering them the truth”. “If the full saving message of Christ is to be presented effectively and convincingly to the world, the Catholic community in your country needs to speak with a united voice,” he said. “It is the truth revealed through Scripture and Tradition and articulated by the Church’s Magisterium that sets us free”, Benedict XVI explained. “Cardinal Newman realised this, and he left us an outstanding example of faithfulness to revealed truth by following that ‘kindly light’ wherever it led him, even at considerable personal cost. Great writers and communicators of his stature and integrity are needed in the Church today, and it is my hope that devotion to him will inspire many to follow in his footsteps.” |