Vatican City, Jun 23, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Pope gave strong advice concerning the identity and responsibility of Catholic educational institutions to bishops of the provinces of Portland in Oregon, Seattle and Anchorage as they concluded their "ad limina" visit this morning at the Vatican.
In his continuing reflections on the teaching office of the bishop, the Pope stated that the Catholic's Church's "many religious, educational and charitable institutions exist for one reason only: to proclaim the Gospel. Their witness must always proceed 'ex corde Ecclesiae', from the very heart of the Church.”
“It is of utmost importance, therefore, that the Church's institutions be genuinely Catholic: Catholic in their self-understanding and Catholic in their identity. All those who share in the apostolates of such institutions, including those who are not of the faith, should show a sincere and respectful appreciation of that mission which is their inspiration and ultimate 'raison d'être'," said the Pope.
"The Church's many institutions in the United States - schools, universities, hospitals and charitable agencies - must not only assist the faithful to think and act fully in accordance with the Gospel, overcoming every separation between faith and life, but they must themselves embody a clear corporate testimony to its saving truth.”