Subject: VISnews 110908   
   Organization: VIS - Ufficio Stampa della Santa Sede   
   From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt    
      
   VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE   
      
   TWENTY FIRST YEAR - N. 149   
   ENGLISH   
   THURSDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 2011   
      
   SUMMARY:   
      
   - Church Institutions Must Express the Love of God   
   - Audiences   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
   CHURCH INSTITUTIONS MUST EXPRESS THE LOVE OF GOD   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 8 SEP 2011 (VIS) - This morning in the Apostolic Palace of   
   Castelgandolfo, the Holy Father received a group of twenty-three prelates   
   from the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India who are currently   
   completing their five-yearly "ad limina" visit.   
      
     Speaking to the group in English, Benedict XVI recalled how "the Church in   
   India is blessed with a multitude of institutions which are intended to be   
   expressions of the love of God for humanity through the charity and example   
   of the clergy, religious and lay faithful who staff them. By means of her   
   parishes, schools and orphanages, as well as her hospitals, clinics and   
   dispensaries, the Church makes an invaluable contribution to the well-being   
   not only of Catholics, but of society at large".   
      
     Among the Church's main institutions are schools which, said the Holy   
   Father, should help pupils to develop their spiritual, intellectual and   
   moral faculties, as well as fomenting their capacity for sound judgment. At   
   the same time, schools should focus on "the heritage bequeathed ... by   
   former generations, thus fostering a sense of values and preparing their   
   pupils for a happy and productive life".   
      
     The truth of salvation must remain at the foundation of all the Church's   
   endeavours, so that her members may "bear witness to the love of God for all   
   humanity as they enter into contact with the world, providing a solid   
   Christian testimony in friendship, respect and love, and striving not to   
   condemn the world but to offer it the gift of salvation" through word and   
   example.   
      
     Finally, the Pope focused on the work carried out by religious in India.   
   They are, he said, "a source of spiritual fruitfulness for the entire   
   Christian community, as they ... inspire others to respond with trust,   
   humility and joy to the invitation of the Lord to follow Him".   
   AL/                                                                     VIS   
   20110908 (310)   
      
   AUDIENCES   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 8 SEP 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate   
   audiences:   
      
    - Two prelates of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, on their "ad   
   limina" visit:   
      
       - Bishop Thomas Antony Vazhapilly of Mysore.   
      
       - Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo of Shimoga.   
      
    - Ali Achour, ambassador of Morocco, on his farewell visit.   
      
    - Cardinal Angelo Scola, archbishop of Milan, Italy.   
   AL:AP/                                                          VIS 20110908   
   (70)   
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