Reach out to parents, Pope tells local bishops

By LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO

March 5, 2011, 7:38pm

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Benedict XVI has said that parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith.

The Pontiff, in a recent audience with Filipino bishops, urged his brothers in the episcopate to reach out to families and educate parents on “their role as the first educators of their children in the faith.”

“The deep personal piety of your people needs to be nourished and supported by a profound understanding of and appreciation for the teachings of the Church in matters of faith and morals,” the Pope said, in an article posted in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website.

The Pope also urged the bishops to seek out “the lost sheep” and make sure “that all the faithful draw life from the great gift given to us in the Sacred Mysteries.”

He told the prelates not to "grow weary of doing good" as “the greatest good that we can offer those whom we serve is given to us in the Eucharist.”

“It is heartening that many Filipinos attend Sunday Mass, but this does not leave room for complacency on your part as shepherds,” the Pope said.

The Holy Father said dialogue with other religions should also be a priority among bishops.

“I commend you for the work you have already done, and I encourage you, by means of the dialogue that has been established, to continue to promote the path to true and lasting peace with all of your neighbors, never failing to treat each person, no matter his or her beliefs, as created in the image of God,” he said.

Pope Benedict also reminded the Philippine bishops of their paternal duty toward their clergy by putting premium in their ongoing formation.

“Remind your priests of their commitment to celibacy, obedience, and an ever greater dedication to pastoral service,” he said.

“In living out their promises, these men will become true spiritual fathers with a personal and psychological maturity that will grow to mirror the paternity of God,” the Pope added.

The last batch of bishops from Mindanao and Lipa are in Rome from Feb. 21 to March 5 for their five-year ad limina (consultation) visit.