RIJEKA RIJEKA, June 8 (Hina) - During Sunday's Eucharist in Rijeka's Delta square, Pope John Paul II urged the gathered faithful to stay a "people of hope" who believe in the Gospel at a time when the society is "tragically fragmented
and divided".
RIJEKA, June 8 (Hina) - During Sunday's Eucharist in Rijeka's Delta
square, Pope John Paul II urged the gathered faithful to stay a
"people of hope" who believe in the Gospel at a time when the society
is "tragically fragmented and divided". #L#
"May you be a people of hope. May you be a people which prays. May you
be a people which believes in the Word spoken by God and
accomplished in Christ," the pope said in the homily which was often
interrupted by applause.
Speaking about family, which is the focal subject of his pastoral
visit to Croatia, the Holy Father stressed that today's family
"requires special consideration and concrete policies aimed at
promoting and protecting its essential nature, its development and
its stability".
"Among other things, I am thinking of the serious problems
associated with housing and employment. It must not be forgotten
that in helping the family we also help to resolve other important
problems, such as providing assistance to the sick and the elderly,
stopping the spread of crime, and finding a remedy to drug abuse,"
the pope said.
As one of the most important parental roles, the pope pointed to
"human and Christian education" of children, trusting also in the
expert assistance of committed and well-trained educators and
catechists.
The pope recalled a programme initiated by Croatian bishops at Nin
several years ago, which read: "The Croatian Catholic family prays
daily and celebrates the Eucharist every Sunday."
"If this is to happen, it is essential to show respect for
sacredness of Sunday, which enables members of the family to come
together and join in giving due worship to God," the Holy Father
said.
The pope especially greeted the Croatian youth which greeted him
with applause, cheering "John Paul".
"Through the family and professional life for which you are now
preparing, you will take on great responsibilities for the good of
society and the Church. I ask you to remember that human beings are
of value for what they are more than what they do or what they
possess; that superficial goals will never satisfy the thirst for
happiness and fulfilment deep within your hearts," he said.
He then greeted pilgrims from other countries in Italian, Slovene,
German, Albanian and Polish.
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