Pope Benedict XVI has told visiting New Zealand and
Pacific Island bishops that abstaining from "earthly passions" is
becoming more challenging as society becomes more secular.
The
Roman Catholic Church's "new evangelisation", the Pope's attempt to
counter secular trends in traditionally Christian countries, was
discussed when the bishops met him on Saturday as part of their
five-yearly visit to the Vatican.
Reporting the meeting on its
website on Tuesday (NZ time), the Catholic News Service quoted the Pope
as saying he was aware of the challenges the bishops faced because of
increased secularisation, such as "a weakened appreciation for the
sacred nature of Christian marriage and the stability of the family".
"In
such a context the struggle to lead a life worthy of our baptismal
calling and to abstain from the earthly passions which wage war against
our souls becomes ever more challenging," he said.
The Pope called
on the bishops to be protagonists in the new evangelisation in their
dioceses, spread among many islands separated by great distances.
Also
on Tuesday (NZ time), the Vatican Information Service published a
communique from a meeting of Oceania bishops earlier in December which
noted how Australia and New Zealand had particularly become more
secular.
"At the same time, there are signs of hope, such as the
openness of young people and of certain intellectuals to the Gospel of
Jesus Christ," the bishops said.
"Although these aspects involve a minority, they are important signals and nourish hope for the future."
NZN