Bishops'
Conference of U.S.A. - 1
On 2 April 2004, the Holy Father
met the first group of Bishops from the United States of America (the
Provinces of Atlanta and Miami and of the Military Ordinariate) on their
ad limina visit. The Pope told the Bishops that the "renewal of the
Church", both in the United States and around the world, is "closely
linked to the renewal of the episcopal office."
Bishops' Conference of
U.S.A. - 2
On 29 April 2004, the Holy Father
met the second group of Bishops from the United States of America (the
Provinces of Baltimore and Washington) on their ad limina visit. He
told the Bishops that the pursuit of "holiness must be central to the life
and identity of every Bishop." It is on the evidence of his holiness that
his episcopal authority must rest.
Bishops'
Conference of U.S.A. - 3
On 6 May 2004, the Holy Father met
with the third group of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of
America coming from the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Detroit and Cincinnati
(Region VI) for their ad limina visit to Rome. The Pope told the
Bishops that they should constantly strive to relate to their priests "as
a father and brother", doing everything in their power "to encourage them
in fidelity to their vocation and to the demands of leading a life worthy
of the calling they have received."
Bishops' Conference
of U.S.A. - 4
On 14 May 2004, the Holy
Father met with the fourth group of the Bishops' Conference of the United
States of America coming from the Churches in California, Nevada and
Hawaii (Region XI) for their ad limina visit to Rome. The Pope told
the Bishops that personal holiness was vital to the integrity of their
episcopal ministry and their vocation to sanctify others. He also
addressed the need for Bishops to promote a good use of the sacrament of
Penance by all the faithful.
Bishops' Conference
of U.S.A. - 5
On 22 May 2004, the Holy
Father met with the fifth group of the Bishops' Conference of the United
States of America coming from the Churches in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas
(Region X) for their ad limina visit to Rome. The Pope spoke to the
Bishops about the holiness of family life and of the importance of placing
"strong emphasis on marriage as a Christian vocation."
Bishops' Conference
of U.S.A. - 6
On 28 May 2004, the Holy
Father met with the sixth group of the Bishops' Conference of the United
States of America coming from the Churches in Illinois, Indiana and
Wisconsin (Region VII) for their ad limina visit to Rome. The Pope
spoke of the "responsibility for the truth", which demands of the Church a
"forthright and credible witness to the deposit of faith". He said that an
"effective proclamation of the Gospel in contemporary Western society will
need to confront directly the widespread spirit of agnosticism and
relativism which has cast doubt on reason's ability to know the truth".
Bishops'
Conference of U.S.A. - 7
On 4 June 2004, the Holy Father met with members of a seventh group of the
Bishops' Conference of the U.S.A. coming from the Churches in Colorado,
Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. The Pope told the
Bishops that "all your activities must be directed towards the
proclamation of Christ. Indeed, your duty of personal integrity renders
contradictory any separation between mission and life". The Pontiff also
emphasized the "prophetic mission of the laity."
Bishops'
Conference of U.S.A. - 8
On 24 June 2004, the Holy Father met with members of Region XII of the
Bishops' Conference of the United States of America coming from the
Provinces of Portand in Oregon, Seattle and Anchorage on the occasion of
their ad limina visit to Rome. The Pope reminded the Bishops that
the Church's "many religious, educational and charitable institutions
exist for one reason only: to proclaim the Gospel", and that "it is of
utmost importance, therefore, that the Church's institutions be genuinely
Catholic."
Bishops'
Conference of U.S.A. - 9
On 2 September 2004, the Holy Father met with members of the Bishops'
Conference of the United States of America coming from the Provinces of
Boston and Hartford (Region I). Addressing the events of the past two
years which have cast a shadow on the Church's life and ministry, the Holy
Father asked the Bishops to continue "to encourage all the faithful... to
persevere in their public witness of faith and hope, so that Christ's
light... will continue to shine forth in and through the Church's entire
life and ministry".
Bishops'
Conference of U.S.A. - 10
On 11 September 2004, the Holy Father met with members of the Bishops'
Conference of the United States of America coming from the Ecclesiastical
Region of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Pope encouraged closer
collaboration between the Bishops and laity, not as a concession to
democracy, but to strengthen the pastoral relationship. He also expressed
his hope that the self-examination provoked by "the events of the past two
years" would lead to a "deeper understanding of the Church's authentic
nature and mission."
Bishops'
Conference of U.S.A. - 11
On 8 October 2004, the Holy Father
met with members of the U.S. Bishops' Conference coming from the
Ecclesiastical Province of New York. Speaking of episcopal collegiality, the Holy Father
urged the
Bishops to ensure the Conference is a means to strengthening ecclesial
communion. He also invited their attention to issues that "directly
affect the Church's mission and her spiritual integrity" in the United
States, making specific reference to the "decline in Mass attendance and
in recourse to the sacrament of Reconciliation".
Bishops'
Conference of U.S.A. - 12
On 26 November 2004, the Holy Father met with members of the Bishops'
Conference of the United States of America coming from the
Ecclesiastical Provinces of Dubuque, Kansas City in Kansas, Omaha and
Saint Louis. In addressing the renewal of ecclesial life in America, the
Pope said that it "should rightly begin with the revitalization of the
parish community", and that "the entire Christian community needs to be
encouraged to move 'from Mass to mission' in the pursuit of holiness and
the service of the new evangelization ".
Bishops'
Conference of U.S.A. - 13
On 4 December 2004, the Holy Father met in the Vatican with members of
the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America coming from the
Ecclesiastical Provinces of Louisville, Mobile and New Orleans. The Pope
spoke of the duty of Bishops to guide and support the laity "in their
efforts to be a leaven of the Gospel in the world," and he said there is
an "urgent need for a comprehensive catechesis on the lay apostolate
which will necessarily highlight the importance of a properly formed
conscience".
Bishops'
Conference of U.S.A. - 14
On 10 December 2004, the Holy Father met with the 14th and final group
of members of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America,
coming from the States of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. With
this visit, the Pope concluded his "series of reflections on the
threefold office of teaching, sanctifying and governing entrusted to the
successors of the Apostles," with a twofold charge to persevere in the
Catholic Faith and to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of humanity.
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