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                                  VIS-Press releases   
      
   TO PORTUGUESE AMBASSADOR: FULL APPLICATION OF CONCORDAT   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 22 OCT 2010 (VIS) - This morning Benedict XVI received the   
   Letters of Credence of Manuel Tomas Fernandes Pereira, the new ambassador of   
   Portugal to the Holy See.   
      
   Beginning his address, the Pope recalled his own visit to Portugal last May. "I   
   will never forget", he said, "the warm welcome I was given, and the friendly   
   and respectful way in which my words were received. I believe that this also   
   has social importance, for when society grows and people are strengthened   
   thanks to the message of faith, then social coexistence also benefits, and   
   citizens are more disposed to serve the common good".   
      
   "Through her presence in the international arena", he went on, "the Holy See   
   makes every effort to serve the cause of the integral promotion of individuals   
   and peoples. It should be made clear that the obstacles to such promotion are   
   not only economic; rather, they depend on the most deep-seated attitudes and   
   values, the moral and spiritual values that determine the behaviour of each   
   human being towards himself, towards others and towards all creation".   
      
   When the Church in Portugal "promotes the awareness that these same values must   
   inspire public and private life, she does not do so for political ambition, but   
   in order to remain faithful to the mission entrusted to her by her Divine   
   Founder", said the Pope.   
      
   "The Church", he continued, "does not represent partial or transitory models of   
   society; rather, she seeks to transform hearts and minds so that human beings   
   can discover and recognise themselves in the complete truth of their humanity.   
   Bearing in mind that her mission is moral and religious in nature, the Church   
   respects the area that is the specific responsibility of the State".   
      
   Moreover, the Holy Father went on, the Church "encourages Christians fully to   
   shoulder their responsibilities as citizens so that, together with others, they   
   may effectively contribute to the common good and the great causes of   
   humanity".   
      
   "Respectful collaboration and faithful understanding between the Church and the   
   civil authorities brings benefits to Portuguese society. Animated by this hope,   
   six years ago a new Concordat between the Holy See and Portugal came into   
   being. ... In that juridical instrument Pope John Paul II saw confirmation of   
   'the feelings of esteem that animate our mutual relations', and expressed the   
   hope that 'the new Concordat may favour ever greater understanding between the   
   State authorities and the pastors of the Church, for the common good of the   
   nation'. I am pleased", the Pope told the ambassador, "that you mentioned the   
   desire to encourage the efforts being made for a complete and faithful   
   application of the Concordat in the various ambits of the Catholic Church and   
   of Portuguese society".   
   CD/VIS 20101022 (460)   
      
   SUMMARY   
      
   --- MPost/386 v1.21   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)