Foster communion and mission, nuncio tells U.S. bishops

By Catholic News Service
Washington

Through the work of its bishops, the U.S. church will find the resources to overcome the "crisis of confidence" caused by the clergy sex abuse scandals, said Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, the pope's representative in the United States.

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"Every act of ecclesial governance must foster communion and mission," said Archbishop Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

The power of governance goes beyond good administration and must be used as a means for building the kingdom of God, he said.

The archbishop spoke Nov. 15 at the opening session of the U.S. bishops' Nov. 15-18 general meeting in Washington. He summarized a series of speeches Pope John Paul II gave earlier this year to groups of U.S. bishops making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican, required of heads of dioceses every five years to report of the status of their dioceses.

More stories from the bishops' conference Bishops approve proposals on marriage, Christian unity, abuse data Internal matters behind them, bishops still face substantial agenda Head of bishops' child protection office plans to resign in February Bishops approve $129.4 million budget for 2005 Bishop Skylstad elected president of U.S. bishops' conference Foster communion and mission, nuncio tells U.S. bishops Bishop Gregory reflects on three turbulent years and changes to come

The bishop is "standing in the place of Christ" offering Christ's holiness to people, said the archbishop. Bishops offer holiness by evangelizing individuals and cultures, he said.

Evangelizing a culture, for example, means promoting Christian values in U.S. culture, he said. Culture mediates the content of faith and helps people transform their lives, he added.

Among the pressing church issues facing the U.S. bishops are declining Mass attendance, serving the growing immigrant population and strengthening marriage, he said.

The archbishop said the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops should be a key instrument for fostering hierarchical communion in facing contemporary challenges.

Bishops should spare no effort in getting the conference to strengthen episcopal communion, he said.

National Catholic Reporter, November 15, 2004