Confirming his upcoming visit to Scotland, expected in September, Benedict XVI is urging prelates to prepare Catholics well in their specific vocations as clergy and laity.
“Later this year, I shall have the joy of being present with you and the Catholics of Scotland on your native soil,” the Pope stated today. He affirmed this in an audience with the bishops from that country who are in Rome for their five-yearly visit.
“As you prepare for the apostolic visit,” he said, “encourage your people to pray that it will be a time of grace for the whole Catholic community.”
The Pontiff continued: “Take the opportunity to deepen their faith and to rekindle their commitment to bear witness to the Gospel. “Like the monks from Iona who spread the Christian message throughout the length and breadth of Scotland, let them be beacons of faith and holiness for the Scottish people today.”
He encouraged the prelates to form their priests and seminarians well, so that they will be “well equipped humanly, academically and spiritually for the task of ministry in the 21st century.” The Holy Father underlined the need to understand the “specific vocation of the laity.”