Secularization a "Providential Challenge," Says Pope

Tells German Bishops That Church's Answers Have Permanent Value

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 12, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says the secularization of society can become a "providential challenge" for the Church to deepen and reinforce her faith.

The Pope explained this Friday when receiving in audience the first group of German bishops, who are making their five-yearly visit to Rome. He had met the prelates in personal meetings in previous days.

In his address, the Holy Father sketched a broad outline of the situation in the German Federal Republic that, in his view, "shares with the whole Western world the situation of a culture characterized by secularization, in which God tends to disappear ever more from public consciousness, the singular character of the person of Christ vanishes and the values forged by the tradition of the Church lose their efficacy."

"Many are affected by discouragement and resignation, attitudes that hinder testimony of the liberating and salvific message of the Gospel of Christ," Benedict XVI observed.

Many wonder if Christianity is no more than "a proposal of meaning" among the many others already existing, he said.

"However, at the same time, given the fragility and ephemeral character of most of these proposals, they turn with an inquiring look full of hope to the Christian message and expect convincing answers from us," the Pope indicated. "I believe the Church in Germany must recognize, in such a clearly defined situation, a providential challenge and face it with courage.

"We Christians must not be afraid of spiritual confrontation with a society that, behind the intellectual superiority it displays, conceals indecision in the face of questions about the ultimate meaning of life."

Muslims' right

The Pope assured: "The answers the Church draws from the Gospel of the 'Logos' who was made man, have demonstrated their accuracy in intellectual battles in the course of two millennia; they have a permanent value.

"Reinforced by this awareness we can present with confidence proposals and answers to those who ask us for reasons for our hope."

"This applies also to our relations with members of other religions, above all with the numerous Muslims living in Germany, whom we address with respect and kindness," the Holy Father continued. "Precisely they, who in the majority hold to their convictions and religious rites with great seriousness, have a right to our humble and firm testimony of Jesus Christ."

However, "to offer this testimony with the force of conviction, clearly more concrete efforts are needed," the Pontiff told the German bishops. "In areas in which the Muslim population is more numerous, we should make available Catholics who serve as a point of contact, who have the linguistic knowledge and history of religions necessary to be able to dialogue with Muslims.

"Such a dialogue clearly requires above all solid knowledge of one's faith."
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