Vatican City, Nov 6, 2005 / 22:00 pm
On Saturday, Pope Benedict met with a group of Austrian Bishops and, addressing the growing problem of secularization in Europe, challenged them to teach the Gospel clearly and without fear, utilizing tools like the Catechism and its new compendium.
The prelates were members of the Austrian Bishop's Conference who have just concluded their "ad limina" visit.
The Pope addressed them in German, saying that the five-yearly “ad limina” visits, made by all bishops, serve "to consolidate the bonds with Peter's Successor," and express "the communion of the Universal Church."
"Over the last few months," he told them, "we have had the opportunity to experience the vitality of the Church in all its freshness and its missionary vitality, especially during 20th World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany.”