Benedict XVI is encouraging Catholic laity to intensify their formative efforts so as to more successfully bring the leaven of the Gospel to society.
The Pope made this appeal in a message sent through his secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Catholic Action Argentina.
The message, which was delivered to the institution’s assistant general, Bishop Luis Collazuol, and published on the organization’s Web site, expressed “thanksgiving to the Lord for these years of intense and fecund evangelizing and sanctifying work.”
It affirmed that “the laity, who through baptism and confirmation participate in the priestly, prophetic and royal function of Christ, are called to contribute in their own original way to the growth and sanctification of the Church and the world, through the transformation of temporal realities according to the values of the Kingdom of God.”
The Pontiff noted that “to carry out their mission in a responsible and faithful way the laity need a solid doctrinal, pastoral and spiritual foundation and appropriate support.”
In this regard, the Holy Father encouraged the laypeople to “intensify their formative commitment so that, following Christ on the path of sanctity and in close union with their pastors, they might take the leaven of the Gospel to all hearts and realms of society, of the world of work, of politics, of culture and to families.”
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, APRIL 4, 2011 (Zenit.org)