Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale522
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale524
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale526
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale528
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale530
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale532
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale534
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale536
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale538
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale540
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale542
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale544
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale546
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale548
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale550
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale552
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale554
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale556
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 559
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale560
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 561
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale562
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 563
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale564
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 565
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale566
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 567
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale568
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 569
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale570
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 571
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale572
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 573
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale574
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 575
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale576
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 577
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale578
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 579
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale580
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 581
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale582
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 583
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale584
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 585
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale586
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 587
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale588
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 589
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale590
Congregatio de Causis Sanctorum 591
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale592
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale594
Congregatio pro Gentium Evangelizatione 595
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale596
Congregatio pro Gentium Evangelizatione 597
Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale598
Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 537
they need to become ever more conscious of the grace of their Baptism and
the dignity which is theirs as sons and daughters of God the Father, sharers
in the death and resurrection of Jesus his Son, and anointed by the Holy
Spirit as members of Christ's mystical Body which is the Church. In union of
mind and heart with their Pastors, and accompanied at every step of their
journey of faith by a sound spiritual and catechetical formation, they need
to be encouraged to cooperate actively not only in building up their local
Christian communities but also in making new pathways for the Gospel in
every sector of society. Vast horizons of mission are now opening up before
the lay men and women of Asia in their efforts to bear witness to the truth of
the Gospel; I think especially of the opportunities offered by their example
of Christian married love and family life, their defense of God's gift of life
from conception to natural death, their loving concern for the poor and the
oppressed, their willingness to forgive their enemies and persecutors, their
example of justice, truthfulness and solidarity in the workplace, and their
presence in public life.
The increasing numbers of committed, trained and enthusiastic lay per-
sons is thus a sign of immense hope for the future of the Church in Asia. Here
I wish to single out with gratitude the outstanding work of the many cate-
chists who bring the riches of the Catholic faith to young and old alike,
drawing individuals, families and parish communities to an ever deeper en-
counter with the Risen Lord. The apostolic and charismatic movements are
also a special gift of the Spirit, since they bring new life and vigor to the
formation of the laity, particularly families and young people. The associa-
tions and ecclesial movements devoted to the promotion of human dignity
and justice concretely demonstrate the universality of the Gospel message of
our adoption as children of God. Along with the many individuals and groups
committed to prayer and works of charity, as well as the contribution made
by pastoral and parish councils, these groups play an important role in
helping the particular Churches of Asia to be built up in faith and love,
strengthened in communion with the universal Church and renewed in zeal
for the spread of the Gospel.
For this reason, I pray that the present Congress will highlight the indis-
pensable role of the lay faithful in the Church's mission and develop specific
programs and initiatives to assist them in their task of proclaiming Jesus
Christ in Asia today. I am confident that the deliberations of the Congress
will stress that the Christian life and calling must be seen first and foremost