venerandae memoriae, die XVmensis Augusti anni MCMLXVII novam Romanae
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gift and working to draw all men and women into the beauty of that love and
the light of the truth which alone brings salvation to the world.
It is in this truth - this mystery of faith - that we have been "conse-
crated",3 and it is in this truth that we are called to grow, with the help of
God's grace, in daily fidelity to his word, within the life-giving communion of
the Church. Yet how difficult is this path of consecration! It demands con-
tinual "conversion", a sacrificial death to self which is the condition for
belonging fully to God, a change of mind and heart which brings true freedom
and a new breadth of vision. Today's liturgy offers an eloquent symbol of
that progressive spiritual transformation to which each of us is called. From
the sprinkling of water, the proclamation of God's word and the invocation of
all the saints, to the prayer of consecration, the anointing and washing of the
altar, its being clothed in white and apparelled in light - all these rites invite
us to re-live our own consecration in Baptism. They invite us to reject sin and
its false allure, and to drink ever more deeply from the life-giving springs of
God's grace.
Dear friends, may this celebration, in the presence of the Successor of
Peter, be a moment of rededication and renewal for the whole Church in
Australia! Here I would like to pause to acknowledge the shame which we
have all felt as a result of the sexual abuse of minors by some clergy and
religious in this country. Indeed, I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering
the victims have endured, and I assure them that, as their Pastor, I too share
in their suffering. These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of
trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation. They have caused great pain and
have damaged the Church's witness. I ask all of you to support and assist
your Bishops, and to work together with them in combating this evil. Victims
should receive compassion and care, and those responsible for these evils
must be brought to justice. It is an urgent priority to promote a safer and
more wholesome environment, especially for young people. In these days
marked by the celebration of World Youth Day, we are reminded of how
precious a treasure has been entrusted to us in our young people, and how
great a part of the Church's mission in this country has been dedicated to
their education and care. As the Church in Australia continues, in the spirit of
the Gospel, to address effectively this serious pastoral challenge, I join you in
3 Cfr Jn 17:17-19.