POPE: RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION

29-09-2008

Receives in Audience New Envoy From Czech Republic

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 28, 2008 (Zenit.org).- When the Church is allowed the freedom to exercise its ministry, which includes the right to own the material goods it needs, everybody wins, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope said this Saturday upon receiving the credentials of the new Czech envoy to the Holy See, Pavel Vosalik. The audience took place at the Papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.

"Hope is indeed the timeless message which the Church offers to every generation, and it prompts her to participate in the global task of forging bonds of peace and goodwill among all peoples," the Holy Father said in his introduction.

"She does this in a special way by her diplomatic activity, through which she extols the dignity of persons as destined for a life of communion with God and with one another," he added

Noting that the Czech Republic will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2009, the Pontiff said "new avenues of influence will soon open" for the Czech Republic.

"Your nation," he said, "bolstered by the sense of solidarity that enabled her to emerge courageously from the collapse of totalitarianism, also desires to contribute to the welfare of the human family by enhancing international cooperation in the struggle against violence, hunger, poverty and other social ills."

Benedict XVI affirmed that "human happiness and well-being cannot be achieved through structures alone or by any single stratum of social or political life."

Working together

He explained: "The realization of a genuine culture worthy of man's noble vocation requires the harmonious cooperation of families, ecclesial communities, schools, businesses, community organizations and governmental institutions.

"Far from being ends in themselves, these entities are organized structures intended for the service of all, and are integrally connected to one another in the pursuit of the common good.

"For this reason, all of society benefits when the Church is afforded the right to exercise stewardship over the material and spiritual goods required for her ministry."

The Pope acknowledged "signs of progress" in the Czech Republic, but said more is still to be done.

He cited the positive resolution of issues regarding ecclesiastical property, and said he hoped the process will "move forward with honesty, fairness, and a genuine recognition of the Church's ability to contribute to the welfare of the republic."

The Holy Father also mentioned his concern for the future of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, "which stands as a living witness to the rich cultural and religious heritage of your land, and testifies to the harmonious coexistence of Church and state."

The Church in the Czech Republic has been embroiled in dispute for the last 16 years over ownership of the Gothic cathedral, which dates back to the 14th century, and adjacent buildings. The government currently holds control of the building.

Genuine solidarity

"By its very nature, the Gospel urges people of faith to offer themselves in loving service to their brothers and sisters without distinction and without counting the cost," continued Benedict XVI. "Love is the outward manifestation of the faith that sustains the community of believers and empowers them to be signs of hope for the world."

He gave as an example the work of Caritas in the country: "The coordination between Caritas Czech Republic and the governmental Ministries of Health, Labor and Social Affairs demonstrates the potential fruits that can result from close collaboration between State and Church agencies.

"I would emphasize here the enormous formative potential for young people, whose participation in such initiatives teaches them that genuine solidarity does not merely consist in supplying material goods but in making a gift of oneself."

More than 10.2 million people reside in the Czech Republic, 26% of whom said they considered themselves Catholic in a 2001 census. Some 59% said they were unaffiliated with any religion, 2.1% said they were Protestant, and the remainder were either unspecific or claimed "other."
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