September 19, 2011. (Romereports.com) The pope met with a group of Indian bishops, who are visiting Rome as part of the traditional visit, that takes place once every five years. The pope met individually with each one of them, before meeting them as a group.
Benedict XVI
“The most significant concrete resource of the Churches that you lead are not to be found in their buildings, schools, orphanages, convents or rectories, but in the men, women and children of the Church in India who bring the faith to life, who bear witness to the loving presence of God through lives of holiness”.
The pope mentioned that since India is a country with great cultural, economic and linguistic diversity, the Church itself should be a uniting factor.
Benedict XVI
“Whether her members be rich or poor, old or young, male or female, of ancient Christian heritage or newly welcomed into the faith, the Church cannot but see in the faith of her members, individually and collectively, a great sign of hope for India and for its future”
The pope asked the group to promote fundamental human rights and to invite people of other religions to assert their dignity as human beings.
During the private meeting, he also thanked them for commemorating the 25th anniversary of John Paul II's first visit to India.
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