Rome, Italy, Oct 5, 2010 / 03:21 am
The Pope told bishops from Brazil on Monday that the call to mission is a fundamental element of the vocation of all the baptized. Focused on the "nucleus" of the Eucharist, he said, the duty of the Christian is to "propose" the Gospel message and ensure its accessibility to all.
On Monday, the Holy Father met with bishops representing two northern zones of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil. These particular bishops are responsible for great expanses of the Amazon basin and were concluding their periodic "ad limina" visit to the tombs of Peter and Paul.
Pope Benedict praised and encouraged them in their work to evangelize in the vast area, never "imposing" the Word, but always "proposing" it in "homage to the religious freedom of the people."
Citing the teaching of Pope Paul VI in this context, he told them that adhering to this "respectful way of proposing Christ and his Kingdom" is more than a right, it is a "duty" of evangelization. In addition, he said, it is the right of men to receive the Gospel's announcement of salvation.