Fatima, Portugal, May 13, 2010 / 15:02 pm
Meeting with the bishops of Portugal late Thursday afternoon in Fatima, the Holy Father called them to rediscover their role as fathers. In this way, he said, they will be better able to provide a powerful witness to the world, guide evangelization, and lead priests and the laity.
The Holy Father's address took place in the House of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Fatima and followed an address by the president of the Portuguese bishops, Bishop Jorge Ferreira da Costa Ortiga.
In his words, Pope Benedict highlighted the existence of a demand for a "new missionary vigor on the part of Christians" today, featuring a mature laity and authentic witnesses to Jesus Christ. The need is seen especially "in those human situations where the silence of the faith is most widely and deeply felt," he said.
This context, explained the Holy Father, is specifically "among politicians, intellectuals, communications professionals who profess and who promote a mono-cultural ideal, with disdain for the religious and contemplative dimension of life."