Pope encourages Belgian bishops to mobilize against worrisome trends

Published: 2003-11-24

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II encouraged Belgian bishops to mobilize against what he said were worrisome trends in the church and in the wider society. After meeting with the bishops individually during their "ad limina" visits, the pope told the full group that their reports were "particularly worrying." "One cannot hide a real and serious concern over the steady and important drop in religious practice in your country, affecting Sunday celebrations and also a number of sacraments, including baptism, penance and matrimony," he said in a speech Nov. 22. "At the same time, the sizable decrease in the number of priests and the persistent vocations crisis are a topic of grave concern for you," he added. Bishops worldwide are required to make their "ad limina" visits every five years to report on the status of their dioceses. In Belgium, seminary enrollments have dropped by 50 percent over five years.

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