Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 541

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.