Vatican City, May 21, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Today, the Canadian Bishops continued their ad-limina visit. The Holy Father received prelates from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and Atlantic Assembly.
At the beginning of his address, the Pope noted how "Canada is today suffering from the pervasive effects of secularism. One of the more dramatic symptoms of this mentality, clearly evident in your own region, is the plummeting birth rate."
"Ecclesial leadership bears much fruit when, in its concern for the common good, it generously seeks to support civil authorities in their task of promoting regeneration in the community," Pope Benedict declared.
Turning to the question of pastoral care, the Pope noted how "with aging clergy and many isolated communities the challenges are great."