Renewing parish is key to church's health in Italy, pope says

Published: 2003-11-18

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II told Italian bishops that renewing parish life was important if the country is to resist attacks on the family and the erosion of traditional religious values. The pope said rapid social and cultural changes "tend to distance from the faith and the church even a people like the Italians, whose Christian roots are so solid and deep." He made the comments in a written message to the bishops, who were meeting in the Italian pilgrimage town of Assisi Nov. 17-19 to discuss the state of parishes in Italy. The pope said the extensive network of parishes and their pastoral and social service to Italians represent a great richness, but that this vitality is being challenged by cultural trends. He said it was important for Italian parishes to maintain a "family" atmosphere of warmth and welcome. In doing so, the parish can continue to defend and promote the institution of the family, which is "continually threatened today," he said.

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