Baltimore, Md., Nov 11, 2013 / 09:55 am
At the opening of the U.S. bishops' autumn conference, the Pope's representative urged the diocesan shepherds to a more profound witnessing to Christ and to preserve unity amongst themselves.
This is "a call to attentiveness, watchfulness and preparedness for whatever proclaiming the Gospel may mean for us as successors of the Apostles, who were called to give radical witness to their faith in Jesus Christ," Archbishop Carlo Vigano told the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Nov. 11.
The nuncio, an Italian native, introduced his speech by saying that he would be sharing "a few reflections and observations I have since my time here in this country," adding that "I ask you to take these thoughts into prayerful consideration. You know this comes from my admiration, respect, and loving concern for the Church in America."
He began by referring to Paul VI, and quoting extensively from the late Pope's apostolic exhortation Evangelii nuntiandi, which Pope Francis, he noted, considers "the greatest pastoral document written to date."