Rome, Italy, Sep 12, 2008 / 22:07 pm
The Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, said this week the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to France to mark the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes will show that the Gospel is a transforming strength for the world.
In an article published by L’Osservatore Romano, the French cardinal said the Church in that country is confronting some challenges such as the growth of Buddhism and Islam, as well as the decrease in religious and priestly vocations.
Faced with this situation, he continued, “The Apostolic visit of Benedict XVI will be an important moment in the journey of our Church. It will operate in three directions, each inseparable from the other. First it will be a great testimony of Christian faith through the different celebrations led by the Pope. He is not coming to attend meetings. He is coming to celebrate faith in the Risen Christ.”
In addition, the Pope’s visit “will be a time of intense communion with the French bishops, not only at the celebrations in which they will participate in the one liturgy of the Church, but also in the encounter that will unite us all in dialogue,” the cardinal added.