Pope to bishops: rediscover centrality of Eucharist.

Rome -- On May 11, 2006, the first regional conference of Canadian bishops, those of Quebec, met with Pope Benedict XVI during their five-yearly ad limina visit. Earlier the Pope had received the bishops' diocesan reports from which he deduced that the region--as well as all of Canada--needed an increased devotion to the Eucharist, stronger priestly formation, and greater outreach to young people.

The Holy Father began his address by noting that Canadian society was marked by "pluralism, subjectivism and increasing secularization." In this light, he said he was grateful for the visit as it allowed him the opportunity to reflect on the Church's mission in that country.

Recalling that in 2008, Quebec will celebrate the fourth centenary of its foundation and, simultaneously host the International Eucharistic Congress, Benedict called on the city to "rediscover ... the place the Eucharist must occupy in the life of the Church."

A particular point of concern for the Pope was "the notable drop in religious practice over the last few years," and "the lack of young people at Eucharistic assemblies," cited in the bishops' own reports. Benedict told them, "the faithful must be convinced of the vital importance of regular participation in Sunday Mass, that their faith may grow and find coherent expression."

He also noted a national drop in the number of priests, "which at times," he said, "makes it impossible to celebrate Sunday Mass in certain places," but stressed his particular worry over "the place occupied by sacramentality in the life of the Church ... The requirements of pastoral organization must not compromise authentic ecclesiology." "The central role of the priest--who 'in persona Christi capitis,' teaches, sanctifies and rules the community--must not be diminished."

"Moreover," he asked, "how will young men want to become priests if the role of ordained ministry is not clearly defined and recognized?"

Despite these problems, the Pope affirmed that "the thirst for renewal, perceptible among the faithful, is a sign of hope," referring to the "positive impact" which 2002's World Youth Day, held in Toronto, had on young Canadians. That occasion, he said, awoke a fresh interest in Eucharistic adoration.

Benedict continued, saying that, "If, as John Paul II wrote, Christianity in our time must distinguish itself above all for 'the art of prayer,' how can we not feel a renewed need to dwell in spiritual conversation ... before Christ present in the Most Holy Sacrament?"

He told the bishops that "You, as well as the whole Christian community, have a primordial duty to transmit the call of the Lord fearlessly, to awaken vocations and to accompany young people along the path of discernment and commitment, in the joy of celibacy. In this spirit," he said, "you must take care over the catechesis of children and young people."

In closing, he likewise invited the Catholic community in Quebec "to pay renewed attention to its adherence to the truth of Church teaching on theology and morals, two inseparable aspects of being a Christian in the world" (CAN, May 11, 2006; full text in L'Osservatore Romano, May 24, 2006 English edition).

Comment

The last observation may have been a reference to the Letter of the nineteen Quebec priests who rejected Catholic moral teaching in February 2006 ("Dissent ..." C.I., April 2006, pp. 16-17), and to the January 2006 Letter from the Canadian Religious Conference, also dissenting from Catholic teaching (C.I., May 2006, p. 3).